Richard Wainwright (Medal of Honor)

Commander Richard Wainwright, Jr. (September 15, 1881 – March 28, 1944) was an officer in the United States Navy during World War I who received the Medal of Honor for actions during the 1914 Veracruz action.

Biography
Born in Washington, D.C., the son of Evelyn Wotherspoon and Richard Wainwright. He was the grandson of the son of Sarah Franklin Bache and Richard Wainwright. He was the great-grandson of Richard Bache, Jr., who served in the Republic of Texas Navy and was elected as a Representative to the Second Texas Legislature in 1847 and Sophia Burrell Dallas, the daughter of Arabella Maria Smith and Alexander J. Dallas an American statesman who served as the U.S. Treasury Secretary under President James Madison. He was also great-great-grandson of Sarah Franklin Bache and Richard Bache, and more notably he was the great-great-great-grandson of Benjamin Franklin as well as a nephew of George Mifflin Dallas, the 11th Vice President of the United States, serving under James K. Polk.

His uncle was Admiral Seaton Schroeder.

He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1903, and served on board battleship USS Louisiana (BB-19) during that ship's participation in the voyage of the Great White Fleet around the world from 1907 to 1909. Wainwright received the Medal of Honor for his outstanding conduct in battle while commanding a landing force from battleship USS Florida (BB-30) at Vera Cruz, Mexico, on 21 and April 22, 1914.

He retired from the Navy as a Commander on physical disability on March 3, 1921 and died in Annapolis, Maryland on March 28, 1944.

He is buried in the United States Naval Academy Cemetery in Annapolis, Maryland.



Medal of Honor citation
For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Vera Cruz, 21 and 22 April 1914. Lt. Wainwright was eminent and conspicuous in command of his battalion; was in the fighting of both days, and exhibited courage and skill in leading his men through action. In seizing the customhouse, he encountered for many hours the heaviest and most pernicious concealed fire of the entire day, but his courage and coolness under trying conditions were marked.

Namesakes
Three ships have been named USS Wainwright for his father Richard, his grandfather and two cousins.