John Handran
John Handran was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.Biography
Born in 1852 in Massachusetts, Handran joined the Navy from that state. By January 9, 1876, he was serving as a seaman on the. On that morning, while Franklin was at Lisbon, Portugal, Landsman Henry O. Neil fell from the ship's lower boom into the water and was swept away by a strong tidal current. Handran and another sailor, Ordinary Seaman Edward Maddin, jumped overboard and kept Neil afloat until a boat could be sent to their assistance. For this action, both Handran and Maddin were awarded the Medal of Honor a month later, on February 15. In his letter of recommendation, the ship's captain stated that Handran had "displayed the same sort of gallantry on several occasions."
Handran's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
For gallant conduct while serving on board the U.S.S. Franklin at Lisbon, Portugal, 9 January 1876. Jumping overboard, Handran rescued from drowning one of the crew of that vessel.
