David John Scannell

{{short description|United States Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient}}

{{Infobox military person

| name = David John Scannell

| image =

| caption =

| birth_date = {{Birth date|1875|3|30}}

| death_date = {{Death date and age|1923|5|7|1875|3|30}}

| birth_place = Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.

| death_place = Togus, Maine, U.S.{{cite web|url=https://www.cmohs.org/recipients/david-j-scannell|title=DAVID JOHN SCANNELL|website=cmohs.org|publisher=Congressional Medal of Honor Society|access-date=January 12, 2025}}

| placeofburial = Togus National Cemetery, Chelsea, Maine

| placeofburial_label = Place of burial

| placeofburial_coordinates =

| allegiance = United States

| branch = Marine Corps

| serviceyears = 1898–1903

| rank = Private

| servicenumber =

| unit =

| battles = Boxer Rebellion

| awards = Medal of Honor

}}

David John Scannell (March 30, 1875 – May 7, 1923) was a United States Marine and a recipient of the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during the Boxer Rebellion.

Biography

A native of Boston, Massachusetts, Scannell enlisted in the Marine Corps from that city on February 1, 1898, and served as a private. In Beijing (then known to Americans as Peking), China, from July 21 to August 17, 1900, he helped erect barricades despite heavy hostile fire. One year later, on July 19, 1901, he was awarded the Medal of Honor for this action.

Scannell was discharged from the Marine Corps on March 6, 1903, after five years of service. He died two decades later, at age 48, and was buried at Togus National Cemetery in Chelsea, Maine. Scannell's grave is distinguished by a special marker with gold engraving.

Medal of Honor citation

His official citation reads:

In the presence of the enemy during the action at Peking, China, 21 July to 17 August 1900. Throughout this period, Scannell distinguished himself by meritorious conduct.