John Rannahan

John Rannahan (1836 – 1 June 1892) was a corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps stationed aboard the USS Minnesota during the American Civil War. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Second Battle of Fort Fisher on January 15, 1865.

John Rannahan
Born1836
County Monaghan, Ireland
Died1 June 1892
Millwood, Pennsylvania
Allegiance United States of America
Union
Service/branch United States Marine Corps
Years of service1861 - 1865
Rank Corporal
Unit USS Minnesota
Battles/warsAmerican Civil War
 • Second Battle of Fort Fisher
AwardsMedal of Honor

Military service

Rannahan enlisted in the Marine Corps from Philadelphia in June 1861 and was assigned to the Union frigate USS Minnesota. On January 15, 1865, the North Carolina Confederate stronghold of Fort Fisher was taken by a combined Union storming party of sailors, marines, and soldiers under the command of Admiral David Dixon Porter and General Alfred Terry. Rannahan was one of nine crewmen from the USS Minnesota who received the Medal of Honor for their actions in this battle. He was discharged later that same month.[1]

Medal of Honor citation

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Corporal John Rannahan, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in action on board the U.S.S. Minnesota in the assault on Fort Fisher, 15 January 1865. Landing on the beach with the assaulting party from his ship, Corporal Rannahan advanced to the top of the sandhill and partly through the breach in the palisades despite enemy fire which killed or wounded many officers and men. When more than two-thirds of the men became seized with panic and retreated on the run, he remained with the party until dark when it came safely away, bringing its wounded, its arms and its colors.

General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 59 (June 22, 1865).

Action Date: January 15, 1865.

Service: Marine Corps.

Rank: Corporal.

Division: U.S.S. Minnesota.

See also

References
  1. USMC History Division
  • John Rannahan at Find a Grave
  • "John Rannahan". Hall of Valor. Military Times. Retrieved September 6, 2010.


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