Rank and organization: Coxswain, U.S. Navy. Born: 24 February 1873, Sheart, Iowa. Accredited to: Iowa. G.O. No.: 529, 2 November 1899. Citation: In connection with the sinking of the U.S.S. Merrimac at the entrance to the harbor of Santiago de Cuba, 2 June 1898. Despite heavy fire from the Spanish batteries, Deignan displayed extraordinary heroism throughout this operation.

(Source: Center of Military History, United States Army.
Citations taken from the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs Report,
Medal of Honor Recipients: 1863-1978)
Submitted by Linda Rodriguez