David Harrington (Medal of Honor)

David Harrington
Born	April 4, 1856(1856-04-04) Washington, D.C.
Died	September 20, 1945(1945-09-20) (aged 89)
Place of burial	Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Navy
Rank	Fireman First Class
Unit	USS Tallapoosa (1863)
Awards	Medal of Honor

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. and after joining the navy from was stationed aboard the USS Tallapoosa (1863) as a fireman first class. Just before midnight August 21, 1884 the USS Tallapoosa 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.^[1][2]

He died September 20, 1945 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.^[3] His grave can be found in section 17-23162-D.^[3]

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.^[1]

See also

	Biography portal
	United States Navy portal

• List of Medal of Honor recipients during Peacetime

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Interim Awards, 1871-1898; Harrington, David entry". Medal of Honor recipients. United States Army Center of Military History. August 3, 2009. http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/int1871-98.html. Retrieved September 21, 2010. 
2. ^ "Tallapoosa". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval Historical Center. http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/t1/tallapoosa-i.htm. Retrieved September 21, 2010. 
3. ^ ^{a b} Don Morfe (June 12, 2004). "David Harrington (Medal of Honor)". Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor recipients. Find a Grave. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=8905170. Retrieved September 21, 2010. 

External links

• "David Harrington (Medal of Honor)". Hall of Valor. Military Times. http://www.militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/recipient.php?recipientid=589. Retrieved September 21, 2010. 
• "USS Tallapoosa (1864-1892)". Online Image Library. Naval Historical Center. July 5, 2001. http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-t/talaposa.htm. Retrieved September 21, 2010. 
• "David Harrington, Fireman, United States Navy". Medal of Honor recipients buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Arlington National Cemetery website. September 3, 2005. http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/dharring.htm. Retrieved September 21, 2010. 

Persondata
Name	Harrington, David
Alternative names
Short description	United States Navy Medal of Honor recipient
Date of birth	April 4, 1856
Place of birth	Washington, D.C.
Date of death	September 20, 1945
Place of death