Harry L. MacNeal
Encyclopedia
Harry L. MacNeal was a United States Marine who was a recipient of America's highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor
, for his actions during the Battle of Santiago de Cuba
during the Spanish-American War
. He was one of fifteen Marines, all enlisted men, to receive the Medal of Honor during the war, and the only Marine Corps recipient for this particular battle.
in Philadelphia on November 16, 1896. During the Spanish-American War
, as a private
in the United States Marine corps
he was stationed on the armored cruiser
, which served as the flagship of Commodore
Winfield Scott Schley
during the Battle of Santiago de Cuba
on July 3, 1898. This was the largest naval engagement of the war.
During the five hour battle, one of the Brooklyns guns became jammed. Two other men attempted, but failed to clear it. MacNeal then volunteered to clear the shell with a hand rammer. He had to crawl along the gun's barrel and expose himself to "murderous fire from the enemy batteries", in addition to having to contend with the blasts from the forward turret, which nearly knocked him overboard. However he succeeded in his task and "resumed his duties as coolly as if what he had done were a matter of everyday routine". The American fleet sustained casualties of only one dead, Chief Yeoman George H. Ellis (1874–1898) of the Brooklyn, and two wounded; Lt. J.P.J. Ryan,Asst engineer and fireman J. Bevins, both also of the Brooklyn. There were less than 10 other men on the US ship who suffered only minor bruises or abtrasions, due to the jolting gun fire of their own ships, wereas The entire Spanish Squadron of six ships was lost, sustaining 474 casualties.
MacNeal received the Medal of Honor on August 9, 1899, almost a year to the day after the war ended. From late 1899 till December 1901, he was stationed at Cavite the Philippines, returned to the United States in early December 1901, was sick in the hospital for two weeks, and discharged with an "excellent" record on 26 December 1901. A strange incident transpired 5 years later, where he re-enlisted on 4 January 1906 into the Marines at the New York navy yard, but was considered "deserted" with the transcription note mentioning that he failed to show up for assigned duty at Portsmouth Navy yard in February of the same year. He did register for the draft in WWI, and also registered for the Draft in WWII at the age of 63. As a civilian he had worked primarily as a department store manager in New Jersey since the early 1900s. He married after his discharge from the marines, and raised a family in New Jersey. MacNeal died on March 13, 1950, and is buried in Clifton, New Jersey
.
Citation:
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
, for his actions during the Battle of Santiago de Cuba
Battle of Santiago de Cuba
The Battle of Santiago de Cuba, fought between Spain and the United States on 3 July 1898, was the largest naval engagement of the Spanish-American War and resulted in the destruction of the Spanish Navy's Caribbean Squadron.-Spanish Fleet:...
during the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
. He was one of fifteen Marines, all enlisted men, to receive the Medal of Honor during the war, and the only Marine Corps recipient for this particular battle.
Military service
A Philadelphia native, MacNeal enlisted in the United States Marine CorpsUnited States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
in Philadelphia on November 16, 1896. During the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
, as a private
Private (rank)
A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career...
in the United States Marine corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
he was stationed on the armored cruiser
Armored cruiser
The armored cruiser was a type of warship of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Like other types of cruiser, the armored cruiser was a long-range, independent warship, capable of defeating any ship apart from a battleship, and fast enough to outrun any battleships it encountered.The first...
, which served as the flagship of Commodore
Commodore (rank)
Commodore is a military rank used in many navies that is superior to a navy captain, but below a rear admiral. Non-English-speaking nations often use the rank of flotilla admiral or counter admiral as an equivalent .It is often regarded as a one-star rank with a NATO code of OF-6, but is not always...
Winfield Scott Schley
Winfield Scott Schley
Winfield Scott Schley was a rear admiral in the United States Navy and the hero of the Battle of Santiago Bay during the Spanish-American War.-Civil War:...
during the Battle of Santiago de Cuba
Battle of Santiago de Cuba
The Battle of Santiago de Cuba, fought between Spain and the United States on 3 July 1898, was the largest naval engagement of the Spanish-American War and resulted in the destruction of the Spanish Navy's Caribbean Squadron.-Spanish Fleet:...
on July 3, 1898. This was the largest naval engagement of the war.
During the five hour battle, one of the Brooklyns guns became jammed. Two other men attempted, but failed to clear it. MacNeal then volunteered to clear the shell with a hand rammer. He had to crawl along the gun's barrel and expose himself to "murderous fire from the enemy batteries", in addition to having to contend with the blasts from the forward turret, which nearly knocked him overboard. However he succeeded in his task and "resumed his duties as coolly as if what he had done were a matter of everyday routine". The American fleet sustained casualties of only one dead, Chief Yeoman George H. Ellis (1874–1898) of the Brooklyn, and two wounded; Lt. J.P.J. Ryan,Asst engineer and fireman J. Bevins, both also of the Brooklyn. There were less than 10 other men on the US ship who suffered only minor bruises or abtrasions, due to the jolting gun fire of their own ships, wereas The entire Spanish Squadron of six ships was lost, sustaining 474 casualties.
MacNeal received the Medal of Honor on August 9, 1899, almost a year to the day after the war ended. From late 1899 till December 1901, he was stationed at Cavite the Philippines, returned to the United States in early December 1901, was sick in the hospital for two weeks, and discharged with an "excellent" record on 26 December 1901. A strange incident transpired 5 years later, where he re-enlisted on 4 January 1906 into the Marines at the New York navy yard, but was considered "deserted" with the transcription note mentioning that he failed to show up for assigned duty at Portsmouth Navy yard in February of the same year. He did register for the draft in WWI, and also registered for the Draft in WWII at the age of 63. As a civilian he had worked primarily as a department store manager in New Jersey since the early 1900s. He married after his discharge from the marines, and raised a family in New Jersey. MacNeal died on March 13, 1950, and is buried in Clifton, New Jersey
Clifton, New Jersey
Clifton is a city in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 84,136. The 2010 population represented an increase of 5,464 residents from its population of 78,672 in the 2000 Census, making it the state's 11th largest...
.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: March 22, 1879, Philadelphia, Pa. Accredited to: Pennsylvania. G.O. No.: 526, August 9, 1899.Citation:
On board the U.S.S. Brooklyn during action at the Battle of Santiago de Cuba, 3 July 1898. Braving the fire of the enemy, MacNeal displayed gallantry throughout this action.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Spanish–American War