★

Loading archive…

★Victoria Cross

A comprehensive archive of decorated military heroes from Commonwealth, American, and allied traditions, ranked by the Unified Scoring Matrix (USM-25). Honouring valour through history.

USM-25.2Scoring Standard

Scored under the Unified Scoring Matrix (USM-25)

Michael Thornton (Medal of Honor, awarded 1884) — Victoria Cross

< Back to Heroes

Service Profile

Branch: U.S. Navy
Rank: Lieutenant
Medals Recorded: 1

Michael Thornton (Medal of Honor, awarded 1884)

Lieutenant, U.S. Navy

Support & adopt this hero ↓

Awards & Decorations

Medal of Honor 1862–1912 Navy

Ribbon Rack

Biography

Keeping a shipmate afloat near Boston

Michael Thornton was born on 17 June 1856 in Ireland. He served as a seaman in the United States Navy aboard the tug Leyden.

On 26 August 1881 near Boston, Massachusetts, Thornton jumped overboard to assist Landsman Michael Drennan, who had entered the water. Thornton kept him afloat until they were picked up. The rescue was recognized in Navy General Order 326 of 18 October 1884.

His citation records the sustained assistance that brought his shipmate to safety.

Medal of Honor citation

For jumping overboard from the U.S. Tug Leyden, near Boston, Mass., 26 August 1881, and sustaining until picked up Michael Drennan, landsman, who had jumped overboard while temporarily insane.

Support & adopt

Become the named supporter for this profile and edit the tribute biography and portrait (Owner account required). Proceeds help keep the archive online.

$25 USD / year — annual sponsorship renewal. Keeps the page online and, where enabled, the family anniversary remembrance emails active.