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David Harrington

1856 – 1945

United States Navy Medal of Honor recipient

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About David Harrington

Lived 1856 – 1945 (aged 89). David Harrington was an American.

David Harrington (April 4, 1856 – September 20, 1945) was a fireman first class serving in the United States Navy who received the Medal of Honor for bravery.

Biography Harrington was born April 4, 1856, in Washington, D.C. After joining the navy he was stationed aboard the as a fireman first class. Just before midnight August 21, 1884 the collided with the schooner James S. Lowell about five miles from Vineyard Haven, Rhode Island and started to sink. Harrington remained in the fireroom until the fires were put out by the rising waters and when the water was up to his waist he opened the safety valves. For his actions on that night he received the Medal October 18, 1884.

He died September 20, 1945, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.

Medal of Honor citation Rank and organization: First Class Fireman, U.S. Navy. Born: 1856, Washington, D.C. Accredited to: Washington, D.C. G.O. No.: 326, 18 October 1884.

Citation:

Served on board the U.S.S. Tallapoosa at the time of the sinking of that vessel, on the night of 21 August 1884. Remaining at his post of duty in the fireroom until the fires were put out by the rising waters, Harrington opened the safety valves when the water was up to his waist.

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Awards
Medal of Honor

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped David Harrington's

Frequently asked questions

Who was David Harrington?

United States Navy Medal of Honor recipient

When was David Harrington born?

David Harrington was born on 4 April 1856 in Washington, D.C..

When did David Harrington die?

David Harrington died on 20 September 1945.

What nationality was David Harrington?

David Harrington was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: David Harrington

· Wikidata: Q5234737

· DBpedia: David Harrington (Medal of Honor)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). David Harrington. https://biography.guide/david-harrington/

MLA: "David Harrington." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/david-harrington/.

Chicago: "David Harrington." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/david-harrington/.

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