John Everetts
Encyclopedia
John Everetts was a United States Navy
sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor
.
, Ontario
, Everetts immigrated to the United States and was living in New York City
when he joined the Navy. By February 11, 1898, he was serving as a gunner's mate
third class
on the . On that day, he and Ship's Cook First Class Daniel Atkins
attempted unsuccessfully to rescue Ensign Joseph Breckinridge
, who had fallen overboard. For this action, both Everetts and Atkins were awarded the Medal of Honor three months later, on May 20, 1898.
Everetts's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
Everetts reached the rank of chief petty officer
before leaving the Navy. He died on September 12, 1956, at age 83 and was buried at Long Island National Cemetery
in Suffolk County, New York
.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor
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...
.
Biography
Born on August 25, 1873, in ThoroldThorold
Thorold may refer to:Places* Thorold, Ontario* Thorold Tunnel, OntarioSport* Thorold Blackhawks, Canadian junior ice hockey teamAnimals*Thorold's deerPeople...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Everetts immigrated to the United States and was living in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
when he joined the Navy. By February 11, 1898, he was serving as a gunner's mate
Gunner's Mate
The United States Navy occupational rating of gunner's mate also known as gunsmens mate is a designation given by the Bureau of Naval Personnel to enlisted sailors who either satisfactorily complete initial Gunner's Mate "A" school training, or who "strike" for the rating as a deck seaman by...
third class
Petty Officer Third Class
U.S. NavyGood conductvariationU.S. NavyPetty officerthird classinsigniaPetty officer third class is the fourth enlisted rank in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard, just above seaman and below petty officer second class, and is the lowest rank of non-commissioned officer, equivalent to a corporal in...
on the . On that day, he and Ship's Cook First Class Daniel Atkins
Daniel Atkins
Daniel Atkins was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of America's highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor.-Biography:...
attempted unsuccessfully to rescue Ensign Joseph Breckinridge
Joseph Breckinridge
Joseph Cabell Breckinridge was an officer in the United States Navy in the Spanish-American War. He was the son of Joseph Cabell Breckinridge, Sr., a Major General in the United States Army, and a member of the prominent Breckinridge family.-Biography:Breckinridge was born in Fort Monroe, Virginia...
, who had fallen overboard. For this action, both Everetts and Atkins were awarded the Medal of Honor three months later, on May 20, 1898.
Everetts's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
Serving on board the U.S.S. Cushing, 11 February 1898, Everetts displayed gallant conduct in attempting to save the life of the late Ens. Joseph C. Breckinridge, U.S. Navy, who fell overboard at sea from that vessel.
Everetts reached the rank of chief petty officer
Chief Petty Officer
A chief petty officer is a senior non-commissioned officer in many navies and coast guards.-Canada:"Chief Petty Officer" refers to two ranks in the Canadian Navy...
before leaving the Navy. He died on September 12, 1956, at age 83 and was buried at Long Island National Cemetery
Long Island National Cemetery
Long Island National Cemetery is a United States National Cemetery located in Suffolk County, New York. Its mailing address is Farmingdale. It is within the CDPS of Wyandanch, in the Town of Babylon, and Melville in the Town of Huntington...
in Suffolk County, New York
Suffolk County, New York
Suffolk County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York on the eastern portion of Long Island. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,493,350. It was named for the county of Suffolk in England, from which its earliest settlers came...
.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients during peacetime