Robert Penn
Robert Penn (October 10, 1872 – June 8, 1912) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions during the Spanish–American War.
Robert Penn | |
|---|---|
_framed.jpg.webp) Fireman First Class Robert Penn | |
| Born | October 10, 1872 City Point, Virginia, US |
| Died | June 8, 1912 (aged 39) Las Animas, Colorado |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/ |  United States Navy |
| Rank | Fireman First Class |
| Unit | USS Iowa (BB-4) |
| Battles/wars | Spanish–American War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
Biography
On July 20, 1898, Penn was serving as a Fireman First Class on the USS Iowa (BB-4) off the coast of Santiago de Cuba when a boiler accident occurred. For his actions during the incident, Penn was issued the Medal of Honor five months later, on December 14, 1898.
He died in Las Animas, Colorado and is interred at Eden Cemetery in Collingdale, Pennsylvania.[1]
Medal of Honor citation
Fireman Penn's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
On board the U.S.S. Iowa off Santiago de Cuba, 20 July 1898. Performing his duty at the risk of serious scalding at the time of the blowing out of the manhole gasket on board the vessel, Penn hauled the fire while standing on a board thrown across a coal bucket 1 foot above the boiling water which was still blowing from the boiler.[2]
See also
Notes
- Pair of local war heroes receive Medals of Honor
- "War with Spain Medal of Honor recipients". Medal of Honor citations. United States Army Center of Military History. 2004-09-01. Archived from the original on 2007-12-25. Retrieved 2007-01-22.
References
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.
- "War with Spain Medal of Honor recipients". Medal of Honor citations. United States Army Center of Military History. 2004-09-01. Archived from the original on 2007-12-25. Retrieved 2007-01-22.