Austin J. Durney

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Austin Joseph Durney
November 26, 1867 (1867-11-26) – November 17, 1926 (aged 58)
Blacksmith Austin J. Durney
Blacksmith Austin J. Durney
Place of birth Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Place of death Ridgely, Maryland
Allegiance Flag of the United States United States of America
Service/branch United States Navy
Rank Blacksmith
Unit USS Nashville (PG-7)
Battles/wars Spanish-American War
Awards Medal of Honor

Austin Joseph Durney (26 November 1867 – 17 November 1926) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of America's highest military decoration - the Medal of Honor.

Contents

[edit] Biography

Austin Durney was born on 26 November 1867 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy from the state of Maryland and served during the Spanish-American War on board the gunboat Nashville. On 11 May 1898 Blacksmith Durney was one of several men who participated in a boat expedition that cut the underwater telegraph cable off Cienfuegos, Cuba. For his "extraordinary bravery and coolness" under enemy fire during this operation, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. Austin J. Durney died on 17 November 1926 at Ridgely, Maryland, and was buried in Old Saint Joseph Cemetery, Cordova, Maryland.

[edit] Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Blacksmith, U.S. Navy. Born: 26 November 1867, Philadelphia, Pa. Entered service at: Woodland, Mo. G.O. No.: 521, 7 July 1899.

Citation:

On board the U.S.S. Nashville during the operation of cutting the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, Durney set an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this action.

[edit] See also

United States Navy Portal

[edit] References

This article includes information collected from the Naval Historical Center, which, as a U.S. government publication, is in the public domain.