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Photo # NH 79951: Blacksmith Austin J. Durney

Online Library of Selected Images:
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Blacksmith Austin J. Durney, USN, (1867-1926)

Austin Joseph Durney was born on 26 November 1867 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy from the State of Maryland and served during the Spanish-American War on board the gunboat Nashville. On 11 May 1898 Blacksmith Durney was one of several men who participated in a boat expedition that cut the underwater telegraph cable off Cienfuegos, Cuba. For his "extraordinary bravery and coolness" under enemy fire during this operation, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. Austin J. Durney died on 17 November 1926 at Ridgely, Maryland.

This page features the only images we have concerning Austin J. Durney.


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: NH 79951

Blacksmith Austin J. Durney, USN


Halftone reproduction of a photograph, published in "Deeds of Valor," Volume II, page 360, by the Perrien-Keydel Company, Detroit, 1907.
Austin J. Durney received the Medal of Honor for his "extraordinary bravery and coolness" during the cable cutting operation off Cienfuegos, Cuba on 11 May 1898. He was then serving in USS Nashville (Gunboat # 7).

US Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 64KB; 560 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 79949

Cienfuegos Cable-Cutting Operation, 11 May 1898


Halftone reproduction of an artwork, published in "Deeds of Valor," Volume II, page 358, by the Perrien-Keydel Company, Detroit, 1907.
It depicts boats from USS Nashville (Gunboat # 7) and USS Marblehead (Cruiser # 11) cutting underwater telegraph cables off Cienfuegos, Cuba, while under intense Spanish gunfire. Their ships are shown in the background, returning fire, with Nashville on the right and Marblehead at left.
The Medal of Honor was liberally awarded to those who participated in this operation.

US Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 76KB; 590 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 79952

USS Nashville
(Gunboat # 7)

Halftone reproduction of a photograph, published in "Deeds of Valor," Volume II, page 361, by the Perrien-Keydel Company, Detroit, 1907.
The image shows crew members who participated in the cable cutting operation at Cienfuegos, Cuba, on 11 May 1898. They are posed in one of the ship's launches, after the ship had been repainted in peacetime colors following the end of the Spanish-American War. The Medal of Honor was liberally awarded to those who took part in this operation.

US Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 87KB; 740 x 615 pixels

 



Medal of Honor citation of Blacksmith Austin J. Durney (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 74):

"On board the U.S.S. Nashville during the operation of cutting the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, DURNEY set an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this action."


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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Page made 23 March 2006