John King (Medal of Honor)
| John King | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
February 7, 1865 Ballinrobe, Ireland |
| Died | May 20, 1938 (aged 73) |
| Place of burial | Hot Springs, Arkansas |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1893–1916, fl. 1917-1919 |
| Rank | Chief Watertender |
| Unit |
USS Vicksburg (PG-11) USS Salem (CL-3) |
| Battles/wars |
Spanish–American War Philippine–American War World War I |
| Awards | Medal of Honor (2) |
John King (February 7, 1865 – May 20, 1938) was an Irish sailor in the United States Navy and one of only 19 in history to receive the Medal of Honor twice.
Born in the village of Currabee, near Ballinrobe (then in County Galway, now County Mayo), Ireland, King was allegedly involved in an incident at Cornmarket Ballinrobe, a result of which he was being sought by the R.I.C. (Royal Irish Constabulary). He walked 18 miles to Tuam Co Galway and took the train, rather than going from Ballinrobe railway station, eventually arriving in then Queenstown, now Cobh Co Cork. He then worked for his passage to the USA. King later enlisted in the Navy as a coal passer in Vermont on July 20, 1893. He served on board USS Massachusetts in the Caribbean during the Spanish–American War, and, in 1900, was transferred to USS Vicksburg for service during the Philippine–American War.
King received his first Medal of Honor while in Vicksburg "for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession at the time of the accident to the boilers... May 29, 1901." Eight years later, while a watertender on the USS Salem, King received a second Medal of Honor during another boiler explosion on September 13, 1909. Advanced to chief watertender on October 1, 1909, he continued to serve at sea until discharged in 1916.
The beginning of World War I, however, brought Chief King back on active duty; he served in New York until August 20, 1919.
He lived in retirement until his death on May 20, 1938.
He is buried in the Calvary Cemetery in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
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