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Service Profile
- Branch
- U.S. Navy
- Rank
- Seaman
- Medals Recorded
- 1
Awards & Decorations
Ribbon Rack
Biography
He leapt into Genoa harbour and rescued a drowning shipmate.
John Russell was born in New York City in 1852. He served in the United States Navy as a seaman aboard USS Trenton.
On September 21, 1880, at Genoa, Italy, he jumped overboard and rescued ordinary seaman Hans Paulsen from drowning. His Medal of Honor recognized his courage in saving a fellow sailor's life.
Russell's citation preserves the official record of the rescue and his willingness to act when his shipmate was in danger.
Official Medal of Honor citation:
For jumping overboard from the U.S.S. Trenton, at Genoa, Italy, 21 September 1880, and rescuing from drowning Hans Paulsen, ordinary seaman.
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