About John Smith
Lived 1854 – 1927 (aged 72–73). John Smith was an American military personnel.
John Smith (born 1854, date of death unknown) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of America's highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor.
Born in 1854 in Bermuda, Smith immigrated to the United States and joined the Navy from New York. By September 19, 1880, he was serving as a seaman on the . On that day, while Shenandoah was at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, he and Seaman William Morse jumped overboard and rescued First Class Fireman James Grady from drowning. For this action, both Smith and Morse were awarded the Medal of Honor four years later, on October 18, 1884.
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
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
People in John Smith's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Related people
Same field, nearest in time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped John Smith's
Frequently asked questions
Who was John Smith?
United States Navy sailor (1854-1927)
When was John Smith born?
John Smith was born in 1854 in Bermuda.
When did John Smith die?
John Smith died in 1927.
What was John Smith's occupation?
John Smith was a military personnel.
What nationality was John Smith?
John Smith was American.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: John Smith (Medal of Honor, born 1854)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Smith. https://biography.guide/john-smith-military-personnel/
MLA: "John Smith." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-smith-military-personnel/.
Chicago: "John Smith." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-smith-military-personnel/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:24 UTC