Michael Deneef
Encyclopedia
Michael Deneef was a United States Navy
sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor
.
, Deneef joined the Navy from that state as an apprentice boy. He later served as captain of the top on the . On the morning of December 1, 1875, Swatara was anchored in a harbor of Pará
, Brazil
, when the ship's dinghy
capsized. A strong tidal current swept the dinghy backwards from the side of the ship, where it had first capsized. One of the dinghy's crew initially grabbed onto the small boat, but then lost his grip and began to sink. Deneef jumped overboard from Swataras gangway, swam to the drowning man, and dragged him back to the dinghy, where they were later picked up by a cutter. For this action, Deneef was awarded the Medal of Honor a month later, on January 18, 1876.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
.
Biography
Born in 1851 in MassachusettsMassachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, Deneef joined the Navy from that state as an apprentice boy. He later served as captain of the top on the . On the morning of December 1, 1875, Swatara was anchored in a harbor of Pará
Pará
Pará is a state in the north of Brazil. It borders the Brazilian states of Amapá, Maranhão, Tocantins, Mato Grosso, Amazonas and Roraima. To the northwest it also borders Guyana and Suriname, and to the northeast it borders the Atlantic Ocean. The capital is Belém.Pará is the most populous state...
, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, when the ship's dinghy
Dinghy
A dinghy is a type of small boat, often carried or towed for use as a ship's boat by a larger vessel. It is a loanword from either Bengali or Urdu. The term can also refer to small racing yachts or recreational open sailing boats. Utility dinghies are usually rowboats or have an outboard motor,...
capsized. A strong tidal current swept the dinghy backwards from the side of the ship, where it had first capsized. One of the dinghy's crew initially grabbed onto the small boat, but then lost his grip and began to sink. Deneef jumped overboard from Swataras gangway, swam to the drowning man, and dragged him back to the dinghy, where they were later picked up by a cutter. For this action, Deneef was awarded the Medal of Honor a month later, on January 18, 1876.
Medal of Honor citation
Deneef's official Medal of Honor citation reads:On board the U.S.S. Swatara at Para, Brazil, 1 December 1875. Displaying gallant conduct, Deneef jumped overboard and rescued one of the crew of that vessel from drowning.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients during peacetime