tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758747359382999584.post2866716926140438610..comments2024-01-01T11:53:37.594-05:00Comments on I Like The Cut Of His Jib !!: Remember the Maine - Remember the Man - Chief Gunners Mate John Turpin - 15 Feb 1898Mike Lamberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04268185984165305315noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758747359382999584.post-43415714185811593062018-01-07T23:48:38.770-05:002018-01-07T23:48:38.770-05:00Chief John Henry "Dick" Turpin certainly...Chief John Henry "Dick" Turpin certainly rated the Medal of Honor for heroism during the boiler disaster aboard the USS Bennington (PG-4). <br />For the benefit of those who disagree, prior to WW2, the Medal of Honor was awarded to those for lesser deeds of heroism.<br />Check out the citations of Medal of Honor recipients during the Spanish-American War and the USS Bennington disaster. Chief Turpin qualified for inclusion on both lists.P.J.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08307156948490008373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758747359382999584.post-30236795302321918462017-11-03T21:01:57.672-04:002017-11-03T21:01:57.672-04:00I have 2 official Naval documents and neither one ...I have 2 official Naval documents and neither one list the Medal of Honor write ups. But back in those days, records and recommendations would disappear for men of color.Mick Herseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02621793647995552069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758747359382999584.post-71796765818220768812012-12-24T14:36:04.303-05:002012-12-24T14:36:04.303-05:00Hi Marty,
I must confess that I've not been o...Hi Marty,<br /><br />I must confess that I've not been on this blog since August 2010. I just noticed your comment. After a two-year hiatus, I am once again reviewing documentation regarding John Henry "Dick" Turpin. You may contact me at the following email address: sheila.collins@navy.mil<br /><br />Very respectfully,<br /><br />Sheila Collins<br />Bremerton, WASheila Collinsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758747359382999584.post-42946902448473780952012-12-24T14:34:51.608-05:002012-12-24T14:34:51.608-05:00Hi Marty,
I must confess that I've not been o...Hi Marty,<br /><br />I must confess that I've not been on this blog since August 2010. I just noticed your comment. After a two-year hiatus, I am once again reviewing documentation regarding John Henry "Dick" Turpin. You may contact me at the following email address: sheila.collins@navy.mil<br /><br />Very respectfully,<br /><br />Sheila Collins<br />Bremerton, WASheila Collinsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758747359382999584.post-45114809843548327632010-12-27T22:09:51.365-05:002010-12-27T22:09:51.365-05:00Hi Sheila Collins
Thank you for the additional inf...Hi Sheila Collins<br />Thank you for the additional information about Chief Turpin.<br />Do you have any other information regarding his life, family, like pictures and so forth?<br />One thing I can't locate is the documented accounts of his heroism. Do you have the articles or contacts I can have?<br />Thank you,<br />Marty SchickAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758747359382999584.post-73873148419235886862010-08-29T11:01:35.972-04:002010-08-29T11:01:35.972-04:00Dear Sir,
I respectfully submit to you for your c...Dear Sir,<br /><br />I respectfully submit to you for your consideration the following comment:<br /><br />According to certain accounts of the USS Maine disaster, Chief Turpin saved the Skipper and several others.<br />There is also documentation that reveals Chief Turpin saved several crew mates in the aftermath of the USS Bennington explosion.<br /><br />More than eleven Navy men received Medals of Honor for their respective acts of heroism while saving the lives of ship mates from these two ships. Chief Turpin apparently was nominated but never received this citation.<br /><br />Instead, Chief Turpin was allowed to leave the ranks of the mess stewards to pursue excellence in other fields of endeavor within the Navy. He was the only Black sailor allowed this "privilege" at the time (and for decades thereafter). In addition to the exploits mentioned in the article on your blog, he was a Navy boxing champion and a boxing instructor at the USNA.<br /><br />Chief Turpin was not unique. He was willing and able to perform heroic acts within the midst of devastation. He was like many many proud Black American soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines (from 1775 to present). <br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />Sheila Collins<br />Bremerton, WASheila Collins via e-mailnoreply@blogger.com