Austin Joseph Durney
Blacksmith Austin J. Durney
Born(1867-11-26)November 26, 1867
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
DiedNovember 17, 1926(1926-11-17) (aged 58)
Ridgely, Maryland
Place of burial
Old Saint Joseph Cemetery, Cordova, Maryland
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Navy
Years of service1890–1900
RankBlacksmith
UnitUSS Nashville (PG-7)
Battles/warsSpanish–American War
AwardsMedal of Honor

Austin Joseph Durney (November 26, 1867 – November 17, 1926) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of America's highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor.

Biography

Austin Durney was born on November 26, 1867, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy from the state of Maryland in 1890,[1] and served during the Spanish–American War on board the gunboat USS Nashville (PG-7). On May 11, 1898, Blacksmith Durney was one of several men who participated in a boat expedition that cut the underwater telegraph cable off Cienfuegos, Cuba. For his "extraordinary bravery and coolness" under enemy fire during this operation, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. He was discharged from the Navy in 1900.

Austin J. Durney died on November 17, 1926, at Ridgely, Maryland, and was buried in Old Saint Joseph Cemetery, Cordova, Maryland.

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Blacksmith, U.S. Navy. Born: November 26, 1867, Philadelphia, Pa. Entered service at: Woodland, Mo. G.O. No.: 521, July 7, 1899.

Citation:

On board the U.S.S. Nashville during the operation of cutting the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, May 11, 1898. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, Durney set an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this action.

See also

References

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Naval History and Heritage Command.

  • "Austin J. Durney". Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor recipients. Find a Grave. Retrieved 2006-08-09.
  • Naval Historical Center (2006-03-23). "US People - Durney, Austin J." Online Library. Archived from the original on April 8, 2010. Retrieved 2006-08-09.
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