Charles Conway Hartigan

Biography Hartigan was born in Middletown, New York on September 13, 1882, and raised in Norwich, New York.

Hartigan was promoted to lieutenant on July 1, 1912. From 1913 to 1915, he served aboard the battleship .

Hartigan was promoted to lieutenant commander on July 1, 1917, and then received a temporary promotion to commander on July 1, 1918. After the World War I armistice, he commanded the destroyer from January to April 1919. His promotion to commander was made permanent on December 31, 1921.

From 1929 to 1932, Hartigan served as naval attaché in Peiping, China. Hartigan was given command of the hospital ship from August 1932 to June 1934. He attended the Naval War College before serving as commander of the battleship Oklahoma.

Hartigan retired from active duty on June 30, 1941, and was advanced to rear admiral on the retired list. After retirement, he continued to work at the Navy Department in Washington, D.C. until he suffered a heart attack on December 7, 1941.

Medal of Honor citation Rank: Lieutenant

Organization: U.S. Navy

Born: 9/13/1882, Middletown, NY

Accredited to: Norwich, NY

Date of issue: 12/04/1915

Citation

For distinguished conduct in battle, engagement of Vera Cruz, 22 April 1914. During the second day's fighting the service performed by him was eminent and conspicuous. He was conspicuous for the skillful handling of his company under heavy rifle and machinegun fire, for which conduct he was commended by his battalion commander.

Family On May 6, 1910, Hartigan married Margaret Alden Thompson (June 21, 1887 – May 15, 1974) in Benicia, California. His wife's older sister was writer Kathleen Norris.

Hartigan and his wife had a daughter and a son. Their son Charles Conway Hartigan Jr. (August 22, 1915 – May 26, 1978) was a 1938 Naval Academy graduate who retired from the Navy as a captain. During World War II, he was serving as gunnery officer on the destroyer when she was sunk by a Japanese torpedo during the Battle of Midway and subsequently received a Silver Star for his actions.