Congressional Medal of Honor Society

Stories of Sacrifice

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Interim 1871 - 1899 - U.S. Navy

David M Buchanan

Details
  • Rank: Apprentice
  • Conflict/Era: Interim 1871 - 1899
  • Unit/Command:
    U.S.S. Saratoga
  • Military Service Branch: U.S. Navy
  • Medal of Honor Action Date: July 15, 1879
  • Medal of Honor Action Place: off The Battery, New York Harbor, New York, USA
Citation
On board the U.S.S. Saratoga off Battery, New York Harbor, 15 July 1879. On the morning of this date, Robert Lee Robey, apprentice, fell overboard from the after part of the ship into the tide which was running strong ebb at the time and, not being an expert swimmer, was in danger of drowning. Instantly springing over the rail after him, Buchanan never hesitated for an instant to remove even a portion of his clothing. Both men were picked up by the ship's boat following this act of heroism.
Additional Details
  • Accredited to: Pennsylvania
  • Awarded Posthumously: No
  • Born: January 28, 1862, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA, United States
  • Died: May 25, 1936, Philadelphia, PA, United States
  • Buried: Arlington Cemetery (Greenwood section-733-1), Drexel Hill, PA, United States
 

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