John O'Neal
United States Navy Medal of Honor recipient
About John O'Neal
Born 1841.
John O'Neal (c. 1841—after 1872) was an Irish-born United States Navy sailor who received the Medal of Honor for heroism on April 12, 1872. He was stationed aboard the USS Kansas as a Boatswain's Mate when, on April 12, 1872, several members of the crew including the expedition commander were drowning near Greytown, Nicaragua.
The men who drowned were Commander Alexander Foster Crosman, commanding expedition, his body not recoveredMaster Alfred Foree, attached to the Kansas, his body not recoveredCockswain William Walker, attached to the Kansas, his body not recoveredOrdinary Seaman Emil Birgfield, attached to the Kansas, his body not recoveredOrdinary Seaman William Arkwright, attached to the Kansas, his body not recoveredOrdinary Seaman James Eley, attached to the Kansas, his body recovered on April 13, 1872
Medal of Honor citation
Serving on board the U.S.S. Kansas, O'Neal displayed great coolness and self-possession at the time Comdr. A. F. Crosman and others were drowned near Greytown, Nicaragua, 12 April 1872, and by personal exertion prevented greater loss of life.
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Important facts
Frequently asked questions
Who was John O'Neal?
United States Navy Medal of Honor recipient
When was John O'Neal born?
John O'Neal was born in 1841 in Ireland.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: John O'Neal (Medal of Honor)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John O'Neal. https://biography.guide/john-o-neal-1841/
MLA: "John O'Neal." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-o-neal-1841/.
Chicago: "John O'Neal." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-o-neal-1841/.
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