DOB/DOD: July 7, 1886 (Bridgeport, CT) – December 26, 1933 (Holyoke, MA); 47 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Married to Jean Harris (1922-1977).
CHILDREN: One son, James (1921-1985). One daughter, Jessie D. MacKenzie Fuller [Navy veteran] (1922-2007).
ENLISTMENT: December 20, 1902.
DISCHARGE: July 6, 1907.
REENLISTMENT: May 1917.
FAMILY: Born to James (1851-1944) and Mary McCall MacKenzie (1853-1925) [both born in Scotland]. Three sisters, Christina S. MacKenzie Smith Lamberton (1879-1974), Mary MacKenzie Burckardt (1881-1962), and Margaret (1893-1907). Two brothers, James (1878-1975) and George (1883-1919).
MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS DURING: World War I
BRANCH OF SERVICE: Navy
ASSIGNED TO: U.S.S. Remlik
GENERAL ORDERS: War Department, General Orders No. 391 (1918)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Chief Boatswain’s Mate John MacKenzie, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism while serving on board the U.S.S. Remlik, on the morning of 17 December 1917, when the Remlik encountered a heavy gale. During this gale, there was a heavy sea running. The depth charge box on the taffrail aft, containing a Sperry depth charge, was washed overboard, the depth charge itself falling inboard and remaining on deck. Chief Boatswain’s Mate MacKenzie, on his own initiative, went aft and sat down on the depth charge, as it was impracticable to carry it to safety until the ship was headed up into the sea. In acting as he did, Chief Boatswain’s Mate MacKenzie exposed his life and prevented a serious accident to the ship and probable loss of the ship and the entire crew.
From The Springfield Republican; unknown date
HOLYOKE MAN GIVEN ITALIAN WAR CROSS
John MacKenzie Already Holder of United States Congressional Medal of Honor
Holyoke, January 27 — John Mackenzie of 112 Nonotuck Street, Formerly of South Hadley Falls, has received from the Italian government the Italian War Cross. He already held the Congressional Medal of Honor for saving the crew of the U.S. converted yacht Remlik when a depth bomb got loose and began to roll about the deck. Mackenzie seized the bomb and held it until it could be secured. Depth bombs are not considered healthful play-things, and his deed was noticed by the government.
Letter from John MacKenzie describing the incident for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor. From a typescript in the collection of John MacKenzie, held by the Naval Historical Center.
10 Bolton St.
South Hadley Falls, Massachusetts
September 28, 1922
Mr. H. Reuterdahl
Lieutenant Commander U. S. N. R.F. Retired,
800 Boulevard E.
Weehawken, N.J.
It has taken me some little time to make up my mind as to whether or not to write giving you the information which you requested in your letter of September 8th, and have decided that what I think of the affair personally must take second place when the traditions of the Navy are considered. To begin with, I wish to state that I did not consider that my act
warranted the award of the Medal of Honor, but as my Commanding Officer, Isaac C. Johnson, thought differently, I decided to abide by his decision.
You are no doubt familiar with weather conditions in the Bay of Biscay during the month of December, and I would like to give you some idea of the conditions existing when my little affair took place. We left Queiberon Bay at 4 P.M. on December 15, 1917, with a northbound convoy for Brest and Channel Ports. The convoy consisted of 45 ships and the patrol. A northeaster was kicking things up in good style when we cleared Belle Isle, and by 7 P.M., the entire convoy had vanished from sight. We had in the Remlik a sturdy little craft, and she managed to worry along through the night and all of the following day. By the night of the 16th, we had about worn ourselves out, and the battering the Remlik was receiving did not help matters any.
At about 7:30 A.M. December 17, 1917, the lookout aloft forward sighted a periscope on our starboard beam at about 500 yards distance. I was standing on the bridge talking with Captain Johnson when General Quarters sounded. As I had charge of the Machine Guns and there was no chance to use them owing to the seas running, I remained on the Bridge. The seas were breaking over us from stern {stem?} to stern, and naturally, the decks were awash all of the time. The Gun Crews were knee-deep in water and, with the rolling and pitching of the Remlik, were prevented from landing the U-boat. The general opinion at that time was that she, like ourselves, had become lost in the storm and was not looking for a fight, but for objects from which to take bearings. However, she had no more than vanished than a tremendous sea broke over our stern. I stood on the Bridge looking aft, and as the old salt would have said, that sea shivered our timbers and carried away the depth charge cradle carried aft on the taffrail. After the freeing ports had disposed of some of the water, I could see friend Depth Bomb cavorting around on the Gun Platform between the Port rail and the Steering Engine. Knowing that it would hardly do to let our little pet bump many times, I ran down from the bridge and aft. After several attempts and as many duckings, I finally got a toe hold on the Gun Platform and my arms around the bomb. I then made the discovery that the safety pin had come out of the bomb and had visions of the buoy section getting away from me. Could feel the cold chills chasing up and down my spine. Fortunately, I got the pin back into place at the first attempt. After several more attempts, I swung the Bomb with such a position that I could both sit on it and, at the same time, hold on to the Gun Platform. The ship was then headed up into the sea, and Patrick Danahee, Fireman First Class, helped me to lash the bomb to the Gun Platform.
I am enclosing herewith a copy of Captain Johnson’s original letter to the Department. Since receiving your letter, I have received from the Italian Government the Italian War Cross.
Very truly yours, JM*CS
From “Holyoke In the Great War” by Charles Zack (1919)
Chasing a U-boat while fighting a 100-mile gale and having a depth bomb break loose from its fastening and go rolling about the decks, in imminent danger of exploding and blowing up the ship, was one of the experiences of the crew of the U.S.S. converted yacht Remlik.
And then, as the full realization of their peril was sweeping over the officers, into the picture springs a figure that wrestles with the deadly missile, filled with TNT, and holds it until it can be safely secured.
Thus, did Chief Boatswain’s Mate John Mackenzie of South Hadley Falls rescue his ship and its 80 officers and men from certain destruction, later to receive the commendation of his commander and a citation with the Medal of Honor from the Secretary of the Navy.
“There wasn’t much to it; it was simply a case of go get it,” Mate Mackenzie said when cornered in his cubbyhole office at Battery Wharf, Boston. He was much more communicative concerning the heroic achievements of the officers.
“Their acts of bravery will never be written,” he said. “Why, take our captain, for example, now Lieutenant-Commander Isaac C. Johnson. When we sailed out of New York, it was freely predicted we would never reach the other side. Our commander never had his clothes off during our whole trip across and never went to his quarters to sleep. I have seen him standing with one arm thrown around a stanchion, snatching a nap, having given orders that if he was wanted to touch his arm. And all through the Navy, there are hundreds of such incidents that history will never record.”
To understand the great danger of a depth bomb, it is necessary to explain its mechanism. In this instance, it was of the old Sperry type, resembling an ash can in form, but now practically obsolete. It is in two sections, the top for about a quarter of the length of the cylinder being the buoy. The lower section is filled with about 100 pounds of TNT and is the mine. The sections are held together by a wire running from the mine up through the center of the buoy to its top, where it is fastened by a cotter pin. The wire can be fixed to pay out to any depth desired. In this case, it was set for fifty feet. When the bomb is dropped overboard, the safety pin is pulled out; the buoy and mine separate, the mine, of course, dropping until the limit of the wire is reached when the pull detonates the charge. This particular bomb was resting in a U-shaped cradle at the stern.
Chief Mackenzie’s own story of the incident is this:
“We were convoying in the Bay of Biscay and had been a day and a half in a gale. We had just sighted a submarine, and everybody was ordered on deck. I happened to be walking aft when I saw a big wave break over the stern and smash the cradle. The depth bomb was let loose and started rolling around the decks. I threw myself on it, grabbed it in my arms, braced my feet against the gun platform, and was able to hold it fast.”
This laconic tale of the heroic deed takes no account of the dangers he was facing other than from the bomb itself, the chances of being swept into the sea by each receding breaker, his safety depending wholly upon the length of time he could retain his foot grip upon the timbers of the gun platform, since, as the official report states it, there was no way to get assistance to him “until the ship could be headed into the sea and the after part made more secure for passage.”
But in the Navy records of the World War will be found this official report from Lieutenant Commander Johnson of the Remlik:
“The depth charge box on the taffrail, containing a Sperry depth charge, was washed overboard on December 17, 1917, the depth charge itself falling inboard and remaining on deck. It was impossible for anyone to carry it to safety, and it was even dangerous for anyone to go to that part of the ship due to the seas washing over the stern. Mackenzie, on his own initiative, went aft and sat down on the depth charge until the ship was headed into the sea.
“After the depth charge was carried to a place of safety, it was found that the safety pin had become detached, and had it remained on deck and been washed around with the sea, the buoy section of the depth charge would, no doubt, have become detached and the depth charge detonated had not Mackenzie acted immediately as he did.
“Mackenzie exposed his life and prevented a serious accident to the ship and probable loss of the ship and entire crew.
“The action of Mackenzie in this case is most highly recommended for the serious consideration of the department.”
Chief Boatswain’s Mate Mackenzie’s “extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession” was made the subject of general orders in the navy. Following this came the citation from the Secretary of the Navy.
“You have upheld the best traditions of the naval service, and the department heartily commends you. The department will also award you a Medal of Honor,” wrote Secretary Daniels.
Mate Mackenzie also received the $100 gratuity that accompanies awards for “extraordinary heroism.” Later, he received a check for the same amount from Willis S. Kilmer, owner of the yacht Remlik. The inscription on the medal reads: “Awarded to John Mackenzie. U. S. N. F., for extraordinary heroism, U.S.S. Remlik, December 17, 1917. Saved ship from destruction by securing depth bomb.”
Chief Mackenzie may be classed with the veterans of the Navy. He served as a naval apprentice from 1902 to 1907, during which his cruises carried him over 66,000 miles of sea. After leaving the Navy, he engaged in the automobile accessory business at Springfield. He re-entered the naval service on May 12, 1917, and served overseas in convoy work and submarine chasing.
From the Transcript-Telegram (Holyoke, Massachusetts) December 26, 1933
JOHN MACKENZIE DIES OF HEART ATTACK; WAS MEDAL OF HONOR MAN
Won Highest Distinction In World War While Serving In Navy
John MacKenzie, 47, of 62 Norwood Terrace, World War naval hero who won the Congressional Medal of Honor for saving a ship from destruction by holding on to a depth bomb, died in his home this afternoon of a heart attack suffered in his High Street restaurant at 1:45 p.m.
A veteran of the Navy, MacKenzie served as a naval apprentice from 1902 to 1907. He left the service to go into the auto accessory business in Springfield and reenlisted in 1917 as America entered the World War.
In the 66,000 miles he traveled all over the world in naval ships, he was distinguished by qualities of courage and seamanship that finally saved 80 lives in the storm-tossed Bay of Biscay on December 17, 1917.
MacKenzie was a Boatswain’s Mate on the U.S.S. Remlik, a converted yacht on duty off the French coast. As the small craft was buffeted by the seas, a depth bomb containing 100 pounds of TNT broke from its cradle on the afterdeck and careened around the deck, adding its terror to the stormy plight of the ship. Only a small pin needed to be pulled out to explode the bomb.
MacKenzie threw himself on it and held it until it could be again secured.
Mr. MacKenzie was born July 7, 1886, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and moved to South Hadley Falls when he was a boy. He received his education there. He was married 13 years ago, last July 7, to Jean L. Harris. The couple had two children, James and Jessie, both at home. He had been the proprietor of MacKenzie’s Home Lunch on High Street for the past eight years.
He was a member of the Mount Tom Lodge of Masons, the Shriners, the American Legion, Elks, Veterans of Foreign Wars, holder of the Legion of Valor, and a Congressional Medal of Honor given by the U.S. Navy.
He was a member of Grace Church and, for many years, sang in the choir there. Besides his father, James MacKenzie, he leaves two sisters, Mrs. Christina S. Lamberton of this city and Mrs. Lorin Burkhardt of San Jose, California. The funeral will be held on Friday, the time to be announced later.
The official record of MacKenzie’s deed follows:
“The depth charge box on the taffrail containing a Sperry depth charge was washed overboard on December 17, 1917, the depth charge itself falling inboard and remaining on deck. It was impossible for anyone to carry it to safety, and it was even dangerous for anyone to go to that part of the ship due to the seas washing over the stern. MacKenzie, on his own initiative, went aft and sat down on the depth charge until the ship was headed into the sea.
“After the depth charge was carried to a place of safety, it was found that the safety pin had become detached, and had it remained on deck and been washed around with the sea, the buoy section of the depth charge would, no doubt, have become detached and the depth charge detonated had not MacKenzie acted immediately as he did.
“MacKenzie exposed his life and prevented a serious accident to the ship and probable loss of the ship and the entire crew.
“The action of MacKenzie in this case is most highly recommended for the serious consideration of the department. Chief Boatswain’s Mate MacKenzie’s “extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession” was made the subject of general orders in the Navy. Following this came the citation from the Secretary of the Navy.
“You have upheld the best traditions of the naval service, and the department heartily commends you. This department will also award you a Medal of Honor,” wrote Secretary Daniels.
Boatswain’s Mate MacKenzie also received the $100 gratuity that accompanies awards for “extraordinary heroism.” Later, he received a check for the same amount from Willis S. Kilmer, owner of the yacht Remlik. The inscription on the medal reads:
“Awarded to John MacKenzie, U.S.N.F. [United States Naval Force], for extraordinary heroism, U.S.S. Remlik, December 17, 1917. Saved ship from destruction by securing depth bomb.
Honored with the naming of MacKenzie Stadium next to Holyoke High School’s North Campus at 500 Beech Street, Holyoke, Massachusetts.
Previously known as “The Range” and later known as “Beech Street Grounds,” Mackenzie Stadium, built as a Works Progress Administration project, was dedicated on Labor Day, September 4, 1939, in memory of the late John S. MacKenzie. MacKenzie was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for extraordinary heroism on the U.S.S. Remlik, December 17, 1917. It was Holyoke’s first enclosed stadium and hosts numerous sports teams/events. The Valley Blue Sox, a collegiate summer baseball team and member of the New England Collegiate Baseball League plays its home games at Mackenzie Stadium. The Memorial is located on the east side near the Beech Street gate.
Medal of Honor monument in Veterans Memorial Park, 163 Maple Street, Holyoke, Massachusetts.
Buried in Forestdale Cemetery, 307 Cabot Street, Holyoke, Massachusetts; Section R, Grave 113. Photo by Jeff DeWitt.
END