John Stokes (Medal of Honor)

He jumped into the sea to help save a drowning Navy shipmate

John S. Stokes was born in New York City on 12 June 1871. He entered the United States Navy and rose through the enlisted ranks to become a chief master-at-arms, a senior rating responsible for maintaining order and discipline aboard ship.

By March 1899 he was serving in the armoured cruiser New York. On 31 March, while the ship was off Jamaica, Watertender Peter Mahoney was in danger of drowning. Stokes jumped overboard and assisted in bringing him out of the water.

His Medal of Honor citation recognised this lifesaving act. The award was announced in General Order 525 of 29 July 1899. It recorded courage exercised on behalf of a shipmate during ordinary naval service, rather than an action against an armed enemy.

Stokes continued his naval career after receiving the decoration. On 31 January 1907 he was appointed a boatswain, entering the warrant officer ranks after his earlier enlisted service. He retired from the navy on 26 July 1911.

His later years were spent at the United States Naval Treatment Hospital in Washington, D.C. He died on 14 February 1923 and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. His grave records both his naval career and the Medal of Honor earned through his intervention off Jamaica.

Official Medal of Honor citation: On board the U.S.S. New York off the coast of Jamaica, 31 March 1899. Showing gallant conduct, Stokes jumped overboard and assisted in the rescue of Peter Mahoney, watertender, U.S. Navy.