| John Dempsey | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1848 Ireland |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Navy |
| Rank | Seaman |
| Unit | USS Kearsarge |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
John Dempsey (born 1848, date of death unknown) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.
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Born in 1848 in Ireland, Dempsey immigrated to the United States and joined the U.S. Navy from Massachusetts. By January 23, 1875, he was serving as a seaman on the USS Kearsarge. On that day, while Kearsarge was at Shanghai, China, he jumped overboard and rescued a shipmate from drowning. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.[1]
Dempsey's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
On board the U.S.S. Kearsarge at Shanghai, China, 23 January 1875. Displaying gallant conduct, Dempsey jumped overboard from the Kearsarge and rescued from drowning one of the crew of that vessel.[1]