Seaman Michael Thornton

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Seaman Michael Thornton, United States Navy, for gallant and heroic conduct in jumping overboard from the U.S. Tug Leyden, near Boston, Massachusetts, 26 August 1881, and sustaining until picked up. Seaman Michael Drennan, Landsman, who had jumped overboard while temporarily insane.

General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 326 (October 18, 1884)

Action Date: August 26, 1881

Service: Navy

Rank: Seaman

Division: U.S. Tug Leyden