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USMC Sampson Medal to MOH Recipient


John C. Calhoun
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John C. Calhoun

I thought I would share a few pieces I picked up out of the woodwork a little while back. A Sampson Medal named to Pvt. Harry MacNeal (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_L._MacNeal) MOH Recipient and a medal (without ribbon and name bar) awarded by the City of Brooklyn, New York to marines and sailors aboard the USS Brooklyn during the Spanish American War.

 

General Order 526, dated August 9, 1899, reads:

The Department publishes for the information of the service the following correspondence in regard to the conduct of Private (now Corporal) Harry MacNeal, U.S.M.C., of the U.S.S. Brooklyn:

[Extract from the report of Captain Paul St. C. Murphy, U.S.M.C.]

During the early part of the action a cartridge jammed in the bore of the starboard forward 6-pounder, and in the effort to withdraw it the case became detached from the projectile, leaving the latter fast in the bore and impossible to extract from the rear. Corporal Robert Gray, of the part gun, asked and received permission to attempt to drive the shell out by means of the rammer. To do this it was necessary to go out on the gun, and the undertaking was full of difficulties and danger, the latter due in a great measure to the blast of the turret guns firing overhead. The gun was hot, and it was necessary to cling to the jacob ladder with one hand while endeavoring with the other to manipulate the long rammer. After a brave effort he was forced to give up, and was ordered in. Quarter Gunner W.H. Smith then came, sent by the executive officer, and promptly placed himself in the dangerous position outside the gun port, where he worked and failed as they corporal had done. Neither had been able to get the rammer into the bore, and there seemed nothing left to do but dismount the gun. At this juncture Private MacNeal, one of the crew, volunteered to go out and make the final effort. The gun was so important, the starboard battery being engaged, that as a forlorn hope he was permitted to make the attempt. He pushed out boldly and set to work. The guns on the forward turret were firing, the blast nearly knocking him overboard, and the enemy's shots were coming with frequency into his immediate neighborhood. It was at this time that Chief Yeoman Ellis was killed on the other side of the deck. MacNeal never paused in his work. The rammer was finally placed in the bore and the shell ejected. The gun was immediately put in action and MacNeal resumed his duties as coolly as if what he had done were a matter of everyday routine.

 

 

Grave site: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?p...mp;GRid=7196076

 

Newspaper Article from The Morning Record October 4, 1898 (includes interview with his father and family background): http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2512...pg=4271,2740112

 

Finally, photos of the group:

IMG_5154.jpg

IMG_5153.jpg

IMG_5152.jpg

IMG_5150.jpg

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Wonderful example of a USMC Hero's Sampson Medal. :twothumbup: Fantastic MOH citation. Thanks for sharing. Semper Fi......Bobgee

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WOW, nice example! I used to have a Sampson Medal from Sgt. Dominick McDevitt who was also on the USS Brooklyn. Im sure they knew each other.

 

Kurt

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