John Eglit

Chief Master-at-Arms, U.S. Navy

Medal of Honor Recipient

Spanish-American War

Chief Master-at-Arms John Eglit (17 October 1874 - 31 January 1914) was a U.S. Navy sailor who received the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his heroic actions during the Spanish-American War.

John Eglit was born on 17 October 1874 in Finland and after entering the U.S. Navy, he was sent to fight in the Spanish-American War aboard the USS Nashville.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: Seaman, U.S. Navy

Citation: On board the USS 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.

He continued to serve in the Navy until being lost at sea while aboard the steamer Monroe off the shores of Virginia in 1914.

Death and Burial

On 31 January 1914, Eglit 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, VA, in MI 306-A.