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John Eglit

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John Eglit
Cenotaph at Arlington National Cemetery
Born(1874-10-17)October 17, 1874
Finland
DiedJanuary 31, 1914(1914-01-31) (aged 39)
lost at sea near Virginia
Cenotaph
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Navy
RankChief Master At Arms
UnitU.S.S. Nashville
Battles/warsSpanish–American War
AwardsMedal of Honor

John Eglit (October 17, 1874 – January 31, 1914) was a seaman serving in the United States Navy during the Spanish–American War who received the Medal of Honor for bravery.[1]

He continued to serve in the navy until being lost at sea while aboard the steamer Monroe off the shores of Virginia in 1914. His cenotaph is located at Arlington National Cemetery.

Biography

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Eglit was born October 17, 1874, in Finland and after entering the navy he was sent to fight in the Spanish–American War aboard the U.S.S. Nashville.[2]

He continued to serve in the navy after the war and went on achieve the rank of Chief Master At Arms. On January 31, 1914, he was a passenger aboard the Old dominion steamer Monroe when it sank off Virginia's eastern shore. He was declared lost at sea, but was given a cenotaph at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Virginia.[3]

Medal of Honor citation

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Rank and organization: Seaman, U.S. Navy. Born: 17 October 1874, Finland. Accredited to: New York. G.O. No.: 521, 7 July 1899.

Citation:

On board the U.S.S. Nashville during the operation of cutting the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, Eglit set an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this action.[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Badge of Heroism". Muncie Evening Press. Muncie, IN. September 12, 1899. p. 5. Retrieved August 19, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  2. ^ a b "Eglit, John". Medal of Honor recipients, War With Spain. United States Army Center of Military History. Archived from the original on April 23, 2009. Retrieved July 4, 2010.
  3. ^ "Burial Detail: Eglit, John (Section MI, Grave 306-A)". ANC Explorer. Arlington National Cemetery. (Official website).
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