John Robinson (Medal of Honor)

Swimming a line ashore through a gale to save his shipmates.

John Robinson was born in Chile in 1840. He served in the United States Navy as captain of the hold aboard USS Yucca.

On the night of January 19, 1867, a heavy gale threatened the vessel in Pensacola Bay, Florida. With Acting Ensign James H. Bunting, Robinson swam ashore carrying a line so equipment needed to raise steam could be sent to the ship. The effort helped prevent Yucca from stranding and protected those aboard. His Medal of Honor recognized the risk he voluntarily took.

Robinson died on April 22, 1900, in Boston, Massachusetts, and is buried at Mount Hope Cemetery there. His citation preserves the record of his courage during the storm.

Official Medal of Honor citation:

With Acting Ens. James H. Bunting, during the heavy gale which occurred in Pensacola Bay on the night of 19 January 1867, Robinson swam ashore with a line for the purpose of sending off a blowcock, which would facilitate getting up steam and prevent the vessel from stranding, thus voluntarily periling his life to save the vessel and the lives of others.