David Harrington (April 4, 1856 – September 20, 1945) was a fireman first class serving in the United States Navy who received the Medal of Honor for bravery.
Biography
Harrington was born April 4, 1856, in Washington, D.C. and after joining the navy from was stationed aboard the USS Tallapoosa (1863) as a fireman first class. Just before midnight August 21, 1884 the USS Tallapoosa collided with the schooner James S. Lowell about five miles from Vineyard Haven, Rhode Island and started to sink. Harrington remained in the fireroom until the fires were put out by the rising waters and when the water was up to his waist he opened the safety valves. For his actions on that night he received the Medal October 18, 1884.[1][2]
He died September 20, 1945, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.[3]
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: First Class Fireman, U.S. Navy. Born: 1856, Washington, D.C. Accredited to: Washington, D.C. G.O. No.: 326, 18 October 1884.
Citation:
Served on board the U.S.S. Tallapoosa at the time of the sinking of that vessel, on the night of 21 August 1884. Remaining at his post of duty in the fireroom until the fires were put out by the rising waters, Harrington opened the safety valves when the water was up to his waist.[1]
See also
References
- ^ a b "Interim Awards, 1871–1898; Harrington, David entry". Medal of Honor recipients. United States Army Center of Military History. August 3, 2009. Retrieved September 21, 2010.
- ^ "Tallapoosa". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval Historical Center. Archived from the original on December 3, 2010. Retrieved September 21, 2010.
- ^ Burial Detail: Harrington, David (Section 1, Grave 23162-D) – ANC Explorer
External links
- "David Harrington". Hall of Valor. Military Times. Retrieved September 21, 2010.
- "USS Tallapoosa (1864–1892)". Online Image Library. Naval Historical Center. July 5, 2001. Retrieved September 21, 2010.
- David Harrington at ArlingtonCemetery.net, an unofficial website