Biography.guide
Home › People › John Irving
Portrait of John Irving

John Irving

b. 1839

American Navy sailor

Don't just read it — keep itBiographies to ownE-book · Audio · Video From $7 →

About John Irving

Born 1839. John Irving was an American.

John Irving (born 1839, date of death unknown) was a Union Navy sailor in the American Civil War and a recipient of the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions at the Battle of Mobile Bay.

Born in 1839 in east Brooklyn, New York, Irving was still living in that state when he joined the Navy. He served during the Civil War as a coxswain on the . At the Battle of Mobile Bay on August 5, 1864, he "fought his gun with skill and courage" despite heavy fire. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor four months later, on December 31, 1864.

Biography shop

Don’t just read it —
keep it.

Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.

  • E-book
  • Audio
  • Video
Browse the shop — from $7

Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free

Important facts

Born
1839, Brooklyn
Birth century
Nationality
Awards
Medal of Honor

Frequently asked questions

Who was John Irving?

American Navy sailor

When was John Irving born?

John Irving was born in 1839 in Brooklyn.

What nationality was John Irving?

John Irving was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: John Irving

· Wikidata: Q6240871

· DBpedia: John Irving (sailor)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Irving. https://biography.guide/john-irving-1839/

MLA: "John Irving." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-irving-1839/.

Chicago: "John Irving." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-irving-1839/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Page generated 2026-09-27 05:29 UTC