John King US Navy
Congressional Medal of Honour - US Navy
By Averil Staunton
John King was born in Currabee, Ballinrobe just about a mile outside the town off the Kilmaine Road in 1862 and, like so many more young people, emigrated to the United States as a young man. He enlisted in the American Navy in 1893 where he spend 26 years from 1893 to 1919. John King 1865 – 1938 is only one of nineteen men that received two Congressional Medals of Honour from the US Navy.
He first served on the USS Vicksburg, and was aboard that vessel when she participated in ADM. Dewey’s victory at Manila Bay. He worked in the boiler rooms of 13 other naval vessels, amongst them the USS Massachusetts based in the Caribbean during the Spanish – American War.
In 1900, he served during the Philippine-American War on the Vicksburg and in 1916 he was discharged, but was recalled in 1917 following the outbreak of World War One. He served two more years at the Navy receiving station in New York City. He received his final discharge in 1919, and was added to the navy retirement list in 1926.
His first Congressional Medal award came in 1901 serving on the USS Vicksburg. The citation, signed by then president Theodore Roosevelt reads as follows:
“Onboard the USS Vicksburg, for heroism in the line of his profession, at the time of the accident to the boilers, 29th May 1901.”
The second medal of honour was awarded in 1901, by President William H. Taft and the citation reads similarly to the first:
“Onboard the USS Salem for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession on the occasion of the accident to one of the boilers of that vessel 13th September 1909.”
John King died in 1938 in the USA and is buried in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
The US guided missile armed destroyer, the USS John King (DDG-3) was named after him, and was commissioned in 1961.
The seven-foot bronze statue at Cornmarket, Ballinrobe was sculpted by the well known and popular sculpture Rick Lewis, who lives locally, and was erected in 2010. Some of Rick’s work is owned by Queen Elizabeth 11 and two Presidents of Ireland amongst many other world renowned figures.
War Hero, U.S. Navy Chief Water Tender John King, 1865-1938
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A Medal of Honor is on the left in the top row of medals worn by King in this portrait photograph, which was probably taken soon after the first World War.
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USS John King commissioned in 1961
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Memorial Stone, Calvary Cemetery, Hot Springs, USA
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John King sculpture on Cornmarket, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo
Averil Staunton