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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Photo # NH 103765:  Ship's Cook First Class Daniel Atkins

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --

Chief Commissary Steward Daniel Atkins, USN, (1866-1923)

Daniel Atkins was born on 18 November 1866 in Brunswick, Virginia. He enlisted in the US Navy from the same state. While serving on USS Cushing, at sea on 11 February 1898, Atkins attempted to save the drowning officer Ensign Joseph C. Breckinridge, who had fallen overboard. For his gallant conduct on this occasion, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. He later obtained the rank of Chief Commissary Steward. Daniel Atkins died on 11 May 1923 at Portsmouth, Virginia.

This page features the only image we have concerning Daniel Atkins.


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Photo #: NH 103765

Ship's Cook First Class Daniel Atkins


U.S. Navy Poster photographed in 1970. Ship's Cook First Class Daniel Atkins received the Medal of Honor for attempting to save drowning USS Cushing shipmate, Ensign Joseph C. Breckinridge, at sea on 11 February 1898. Note: the correct year of this action was 1898, not 1892 as stated on the photograph.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.

Online Image: 66KB; 740 x 615 pixels

 



Medal of Honor citation of Ship's Cook First Class Daniel Atkins (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 61):

"On board the U.S.S. Cushing, 11 February 1898. Showing gallant conduct, Atkins attempted to save the life of the late Ens. Joseph C. Breckenridge (sic, actually: Breckinridge), U.S. Navy, who fell overboard at sea from that vessel on this date."


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 27 April 2006