| John McCloy | |
|---|---|
 Medal of Honor | |
| Born | January 3, 1876 |
| Died | May 24, 1945 (aged 69) |
| Place of birth | Brewster, New York |
| Place of death | Leonia, New Jersey |
| Place of burial | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/branch | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1898 – 1928 |
| Rank | Lieutenant Commander |
| Unit | USS Newark |
| Commands held | USS Curlew |
| Battles/wars |
Boxer Rebellion Occupation of Vera Cruz (1914) |
| Awards |
Medal of Honor (2) Navy Cross |
John McCloy (January 3, 1876 – May 24, 1945) was a sailor in the United States Navy who is one of only 19 individuals to receive the Medal of Honor twice. He received his first Medal of Honor for action in the Boxer Rebellion in June 1900. His second such award came in 1915 for action in Vera Cruz, Mexico in April 1914.
Biography[]
John McCloy enlisted in the United States Navy on March 7, 1898. He was warranted as a boatswain on July 30, 1903 and commissioned ensign on July 1, 1917. He received his first Medal of Honor "for distinguished conduct in the presence of the enemy in battles of the 13th, 20th, 21st, and 22nd of June 1900, while with the relief expedition of the Allied Forces in China." His second Medal of Honor was awarded to him “for distinguished conduct in battle and extraordinary heroism; engagement of Vera Cruz, April 22, 1914.” Immediately after World War I, he commanded minesweeper USS Curlew (AM-8) clearing the mines of the North Sea mine barrage. For this work he was decorated with the Navy Cross. He retired from active duty as a lieutenant on October 15, 1928, and was promoted in retirement to lieutenant commander on February 23, 1942.
McCloy was active in both the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. He was a founding member of American Legion Post No. 1 in Leonia, New Jersey, the first American Legion post in the state. He died of an apparent heart attack on May 25, 1945, in his home in Leonia,[1] and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.[2]
Medal of Honor citation[]
1st Award, Boxer Rebellion[]
Rank and organization: Coxswain, U.S. Navy. Born: January 3, 1876, Brewsters, N.Y. Accredited to: New York. G.O. No.: 55, July 19, 1901. Other Navy award: Second Medal of Honor.
Citation:
In action with the relief expedition of the Allied forces in China, 13, 20, 21, and 22 June 1900. During this period and in the presence of the enemy, Coxswain McCloy distinguished himself by meritorious conduct.[3]
2nd Award, Vera Cruz, Mexico[]
Rank and organization: Chief Boatswain, U.S. Navy. Born: January 3, 1876, Brewster, N.Y. Accredited to: New York. G.O. No.: 177, December 4, 1915. Other Navy awards: Second Medal of Honor, Navy Cross. Citation:
For heroism in leading 3 picket launches along Vera Cruz sea front, drawing Mexican fire and enabling cruisers to save our men on shore, April 22, 1914. Though wounded, he gallantly remained at his post.[4]
Namesake[]
- USS McCloy (DE-1038) (later changed to FF-1038), a Bronstein-class destroyer escort, is named in his honor.[5]
Honors[]
The USPS issued a series of stamps, Distinguished Sailors, to their 2010 stamp collection with McCloy as one of the four famous American sailors of the 20th Century.
See also[]
Notes[]
- ↑ Staff. "JOHN M'CLOY WON TWO HONOR MEDALS; Retired Naval Hero Dies in Jersey--Cited for Deeds in China, at Vera Cruz Served on U.S.S. Newark In North Sea Patrol", The New York Times, May 26, 1945. Accessed March 30, 2011. "LEONIA, N.J., May 25--Lieut. Comdr. John McCloy, USN, retired, one of the few men to win two Congressional Medals of Honor, and a holder also of the Navy Cross, was found dead in bed today by his housekeeper at his home here."
- ↑ John McCloy, Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor recipients at Find a Grave
- ↑ "John C. McCloy, Medal of Honor recipient". China Relief Expedition (Boxer Rebellion). United States Army Center of Military History. June 8, 2009. http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/chinare.html. Retrieved December 1, 2007.
- ↑ "John C. McCloy, Medal of Honor recipient". Mexican Campaign (Vera Cruz). United States Army Center of Military History. June 8, 2009. http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/mohmex.html. Retrieved December 1, 2007.
- ↑ "McClay", Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
References[]
- This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
- "USS McCloy". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval History & Heritage Command, Department of the Navy. http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/m7/mccloy.htm.
- "John C. McCloy, Medal of Honor recipient". China Relief Expedition (Boxer Rebellion). United States Army Center of Military History. June 8, 2009. http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/chinare.html. Retrieved December 1, 2007.
- "John C. McCloy, Medal of Honor recipient". Mexican Campaign (Vera Cruz). United States Army Center of Military History. June 8, 2009. http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/mohmex.html. Retrieved December 1, 2007.
- "John C. McCoy epitaph". Arlington National Cemetery Website. 2008-05-14. http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/jmccloy.htm. Retrieved 2009-12-30.
- "Distinguished Sailors Background Information". Feb 8, 2010. http://www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/2010/pr10_009bckinfo.htm#mccloy2. Retrieved 2010-02-08.
The original article can be found at John McCloy (Medal of Honor) and the edit history here.