Cary DeVall Langhorne – Commander, United States Navy

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Cary DeVall Langhorne was born into one of Virginia’s first families.  He graduated from Medical School at the University of Virginia in 1896 and was interning at New York Hospital two years later when he joined the Navy.  He served at the Norfolk, Virginia, Naval Hospital from 23 July to 23 December 1898 before being sent to the Philippines, where he served on board several ships and earned a special commendation during the U.S. intervention there.

Attached to the battleship U.S.S. Vermont and the Second Seaman Regiment, Langhorne served with distinction during the occupation of Vera Cruz, Mexico, April 1914.  On the morning of 22 April, troops from the Second Seaman Regiment (sailors from battleships U.S.S. New Hampshire, U.S.S. Vermont, U.S.S. South Carolina, U.S.S. New Jersey) prepared to occupy the city of Vera Cruz.  Their commanding officer took no precautions against enemy attack while marching toward the Mexican Naval Academy, and the sailors came under heavy fire from the Naval Academy cadets.  Chaos ruled the streets, but Langhorne and a few enlisted men received notice for attending and removing the wounded while the American Sailors regrouped.  Langhorne personally carried a wounded man from the battlefield, for which he received the Medal of Honor.

Born at Lynchburg, Virginia, May 14, 1873, he earned the Medal of Honor while serving as a Surgeon at Vera Cruz, Mexico, April 22, 1914. The Medal was actually presented to him on December 4, 1915.

He died on April 25, 1948 and was buried in Section 11 of Arlington National Cemetery.

langhorne

LANGHORNE, CARY DeVALL

Rank and organization: Surgeon, U.S. Navy. Born: 14 May 1873, Lynchburg, Virginia. Accredited to: Virginia. G.O. No.: 177, 4 December 1915.

Citation:

For extraordinary heroism in battle, engagement of Vera Cruz, 22 April 1914. Surg. Langhorne carried a wounded man from the front of the Naval Academy while under heavy fire.

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LANGHORNE, CARY DEVALL

  • CDR USNRF
  • DATE OF BIRTH: 05/14/1873
  • DATE OF DEATH: 04/25/1948
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 11  SITE 868
  • ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

LANGHORNE, ZAIDEE GAFF WIDOW OF CARY DEVALL

  • DATE OF BIRTH: 08/18/1885
  • DATE OF DEATH: 07/22/1966
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 11  SITE 868US
  • ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

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