John Sullivan (Irish sailor)

John Sullivan VC CGM (10 April 1830 – 28 June 1884) was born in Bantry, County Cork and was an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Details
He was 25 years old, and a Boatswain's Mate in the Royal Navy, serving in the Naval Brigade during the Crimean War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 10 April 1855 at Sebastopol, in the Crimea, Boatswain's Mate Sullivan, as captain of one of the guns at Greenhill Battery, volunteered to place a flagstaff on a mound to act as an aiming point. He carried out this dangerous task undeterred by continuous fire from enemy sharpshooters, and his action enabled the battery to open fire on hitherto concealed enemy guns which were doing great damage to some of the advanced works.

Further information
He later achieved the rank of Chief Boatswain's Mate. He died Kinsale, County Cork, 28 June 1884.