.gif)
Marcus Hanna (lighthouse keeper)
Encyclopedia
Marcus Aurelius Hanna was an American
lighthouse keeper
famous for his heroism.
, the son of the keeper of the Franklin Island Light
. He spent his early years at the station before going off to sea at the age of ten. By 18 he had risen to the position of ship's steward. When the American Civil War
began, Hanna enlisted, serving in the Navy
for one year before being mustered out. He spent the remainder of the war fighting with various volunteer regiment
s. He saw action in 1863 at Port Hudson, Louisiana
while serving as a Sergeant with the 50th Massachusetts Infantry. During the engagement Hanna volunteered to carry water behind the lines to the remainder of his company. This was the heaviest action he was to see during the war.
Hanna was appointed keeper of the Pemaquid Point Light
in 1869. In 1873 he was transferred to Two Lights
in Cape Elizabeth, where he served as head lightkeeper. It was there, on January 28, 1885, that he saved two sailors from the schooner
Australia which had wrecked on the rocks below the station.
Hanna was awarded the Gold Lifesaving Medal in 1885 for saving the two sailors. He also received the Medal of Honor
in 1895, in recognition of his bravery at Port Hudson. Hanna is the only person in history to have received both awards.
Hanna died on December 12, 1921 and is buried in the Mount Pleasant Cemetery in South Portland, Maine.
named a Coastal buoy tender the USCGC Marcus Hanna (WLM-554). The Hanna is based in South Portland, Maine
, near the site of Hanna's rescue of the sailors from the Australia.
Citation:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
lighthouse keeper
Lighthouse keeper
A lighthouse keeper is the person responsible for tending and caring for a lighthouse, particularly the light and lens in the days when oil lamps and clockwork mechanisms were used. Keepers were needed to trim the wicks, replenish fuel, wind clockworks and perform maintenance tasks such as cleaning...
famous for his heroism.
Biography
Hanna was born in Bristol, MaineBristol, Maine
Bristol is a town in Lincoln County, Maine, United States. The population was 2,644 at the 2000 census. A fishing and resort area, Bristol includes the villages of New Harbor, Pemaquid, Round Pond, Bristol Mills and Chamberlain. It includes the Pemaquid Archeological Site, a U.S. National...
, the son of the keeper of the Franklin Island Light
Franklin Island Light
Franklin Island Light is a lighthouse on Franklin Island, in Muscongus Bay, Maine.It was first established in 1805. The present structure was built in 1855....
. He spent his early years at the station before going off to sea at the age of ten. By 18 he had risen to the position of ship's steward. When the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
began, Hanna enlisted, serving in the Navy
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...
for one year before being mustered out. He spent the remainder of the war fighting with various volunteer regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
s. He saw action in 1863 at Port Hudson, Louisiana
Port Hudson, Louisiana
Port Hudson is a small unincorporated community in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, United States. Located about northwest of Baton Rouge, it is most famous for an American Civil War battle known as the Siege of Port Hudson.-Geography:...
while serving as a Sergeant with the 50th Massachusetts Infantry. During the engagement Hanna volunteered to carry water behind the lines to the remainder of his company. This was the heaviest action he was to see during the war.
Hanna was appointed keeper of the Pemaquid Point Light
Pemaquid Point Light
The Pemaquid Point Light Station is a historic U.S. lighthouse located in Bristol, Maine, at the tip of the Pemaquid Peninsula.-History:...
in 1869. In 1873 he was transferred to Two Lights
Cape Elizabeth Lights
Cape Elizabeth Light also known as Two Lights is a lighthouse in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. Only the eastern tower of the two that made up the light station until 1924 is active. The western tower is deactivated, but it is still standing and is privately owned...
in Cape Elizabeth, where he served as head lightkeeper. It was there, on January 28, 1885, that he saved two sailors from the schooner
Schooner
A schooner is a type of sailing vessel characterized by the use of fore-and-aft sails on two or more masts with the forward mast being no taller than the rear masts....
Australia which had wrecked on the rocks below the station.
Hanna was awarded the Gold Lifesaving Medal in 1885 for saving the two sailors. He also received 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...
in 1895, in recognition of his bravery at Port Hudson. Hanna is the only person in history to have received both awards.
Hanna died on December 12, 1921 and is buried in the Mount Pleasant Cemetery in South Portland, Maine.
Honors
In 1997 the United States Coast GuardUnited States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
named a Coastal buoy tender the USCGC Marcus Hanna (WLM-554). The Hanna is based in South Portland, Maine
South Portland, Maine
South Portland is a city in Cumberland County, Maine, United States, and is the fourth-largest city in the state. Founded in 1895, as of the 2010 census, the city population was 25,002. Known for its working waterfront, South Portland is situated on Portland Harbor and overlooks the skyline of...
, near the site of Hanna's rescue of the sailors from the Australia.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company B, 50th Massachusetts Infantry. Place and date: At Port Hudson, La., July 4, 1863. Entered service at: Rockport, Mass. Born: November 3, 1842, Bristol, Maine. Date of issue: November 2, 1895.Citation:
Voluntarily exposed himself to a heavy fire to get water for comrades in rifle pits.
See also
- List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: G–L