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Contact Info
Home Town Newark
Last Address Newark, Ohio
Date of Passing Jul 02, 1931
Location of Interment Cedar Hill Cemetery - Newark, Ohio
Recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor and a Police Officer. Born in Newark, Ohio. Harry joined the United States Navy, he served as a seaman on board the USS Florida.
In 1914, Harry took part in the United States occupation of Veracruz, serving as an armed Navy sailor also known as "Bluejackets" tasked with capturing the city's Customs House. Led by Ensign George M. Lowry, Harry's company was pinned down by rifle and machine-gun fire. Lowry asked for volunteers to approach the Custom's House from the side. Five men volunteered: Harry, Joseph G. Harner, Coxswain J. F. Schumaker, Boatswain's Mate Second Class George Cregan, and Seaman Lawrence C. Sinnett. Harry, and Lowry were slightly wounded and J.F. Schumaker would be killed. Harry, along with almost all of the men who volunteered for the attack, received the Medal of Honor for their actions.
Shortly after being award the Medal of Honor in 1914 for brave actions during United States occupation of Veracruz, Harry left the Navy. But, he would reenlisted during World War I and serve until 1921, eventually reaching the rank of Chief Petty Officer.
After the war Harry returned to his hometown of Newark and, in 1926, became a police officer with the city's police department. Harry was shot and killed when he interrupted several burglars attempting to break into a safe at a shoe store. The suspects were never identified. Harry's Medal of Honor and other military awards are on display in the lobby of the Newark Police Department, having been donated by his surviving relatives. His badge number was 17 and he served with the police department for five years. Harry was 41 years old at the time of his murder.
Medal of Honor citation-
Rank and organization: Seaman, U.S. Navy. Born: November 1, 1888 Ohio. Accredited to: Ohio. G.O. No.: 101, June 15, 1914.
Citation:
"On board the U.S.S. Florida for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession during the seizure of Vera Cruz, Mexico, April 21, 1914."
Florida Class Battleship: Displacement 21,825 Tons, Dimensions, 521' 6" (oa) x 88' 3" x 30' 1" (Max)Armament 10 x 12"/45 16 x 5"/51, 2 x 21" tt. Armor, 11" Belt, 12" Turrets, 3" Decks, 11 1/2" Conning Tower. Machinery, 28,000 SHP; Direct Drive Turbines, 4 screws. Speed, 20.75 Knots, Crew 1001.
Operational and Building Data: Laid down by New York Naval Ship Yard, March 9, 1909. Launched May 12, 1910. Commissioned September 15, 1911. Decommissioned February 16, 1931. Stricken April 6, 1931.
Fate:Sold 16 February 1931 and broken up for scrap.
