Michael Gibbons (Medal of Honor)

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Michael Gibbons (November 15, 1866 – February 27, 1933) was an American sailor who earned the Medal of Honor during the Spanish–American War. He was born in Ireland and later immigrated to the United States, where he joined the Navy as an oiler. Gibbons served on the USS Nashville and, on May 11, 1898, during the operation to cut the cable from Cienfuegos, Cuba, he faced heavy enemy fire with extraordinary bravery and coolness. He received the Medal of Honor (General Order No. 521, July 7, 1899).

After his Navy service, he lived for about 35 years in the United States, including time in Portsmouth, Virginia, before returning to Ireland. He died in 1933 in Ireland and was buried in Old Kilmeena Cemetery, Kilmeena, Ireland; his grave remained unmarked until 1999. Accredited to New York.