John Handran

John Handran
John Handran
Born	June 29, 1852; Massachusetts
Died	December 12, 1885 (aged 33); Gloucester, Massachusetts
Buried	Calvary Cemetery in Gloucester, Massachusetts
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Navy
Rank	Seaman
Unit	USS Franklin
Awards	Medal of Honor
Children	3

John Handran (1852-1885) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.

Biography[]

Handran was born on Jun 29, 1852 in Newburyport, Massachusetts, USA.^[1]

Career[]

In December 1873, Handran joined the Navy as a seaman.^[2] By January 9, 1876, he was serving as a Seaman on the USS Franklin. On that morning, while Franklin was at Lisbon, Portugal, Landsman Henry O. Neil fell from the ship's lower boom into the water and was swept away by a strong tidal current. Handran and another sailor, Ordinary Seaman Edward Maddin, jumped overboard and kept Neil afloat until a boat could be sent to their assistance. For this action, both Handran and Maddin were awarded the Medal of Honor a month later, on February 15. In his letter of recommendation, the ship's captain stated that Handran had "displayed the same sort of gallantry on several occasions."^[3]^[4]

Handran's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

For gallant conduct while serving on board the U.S.S. Franklin at Lisbon, Portugal, 9 January 1876. Jumping overboard, Handran rescued from drowning one of the crew of that vessel.^[2]

Death[]

Handran died on December 12, 1885, at age 33 in Gloucester, Massachusetts. He was lost at sea aboard the Schooner Cleopatra.^[5] He is buried at the Calvary Cemetery in Gloucester, Massachusetts.

References[]

^ United States Naval Enlistment Rendezvous, 1855-1891.
^ ^a ^b "Medal of Honor recipients - Interim Awards, 1871–1898". Medal of Honor citations. United States Army Center of Military History. August 5, 2010. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
^ Robeson, George M.; S.R. Franklin (February 15, 1876). "General Order, No. 206". General Orders and Circulars Issued by the Navy Department. Washington, D.C.: United States Government Printing Office (1863–1887): 145. Retrieved August 6, 2010.
^ "John Handran's Heroism. Gallant Rescue of a Shipmate of the United States Steamer Franklin From Drowning in the Gagus at Lisbon". New York Daily Herald. New York, New York. 1876-02-24.
^ "Crew of the Cleopatra". The Boston Globe. Boston, Massachusetts. Retrieved 2020-08-04.

External links[]

"John Handran". Hall of Valor. Military Times. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
Don Morfe (April 18, 2010). "John Handran". Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor recipients. Find a Grave. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
John Handran at Find a Grave
"John Handran 1852-1885 Medal of Honor recipient".

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[1] United States Naval Enlistment Rendezvous, 1855-1891.

[citation-2] "Medal of Honor recipients - Interim Awards, 1871–1898". Medal of Honor citations. United States Army Center of Military History. August 5, 2010. Retrieved August 7, 2010.

[go201-3] Robeson, George M.; S.R. Franklin (February 15, 1876). "General Order, No. 206". General Orders and Circulars Issued by the Navy Department. Washington, D.C.: United States Government Printing Office (1863–1887): 145. Retrieved August 6, 2010.

[4] "John Handran's Heroism. Gallant Rescue of a Shipmate of the United States Steamer Franklin From Drowning in the Gagus at Lisbon". New York Daily Herald. New York, New York. 1876-02-24.

[5] "Crew of the Cleopatra". The Boston Globe. Boston, Massachusetts. Retrieved 2020-08-04.

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