John King was born on February 7, 1862, in Ballinrobe, County Mayo, Ireland. After fleeing an incident involving the Royal Irish Constabulary, he made his way to the United States and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1893.

King served aboard the USS Massachusetts during the Spanish–American War and later the USS Vicksburg during the Philippine–American War, where he earned his first Medal of Honor on May 29, 1901, for heroism during a boiler explosion. He received the award in December 1901.

While serving as a watertender on the USS Salem, King was again recognized for bravery during a second boiler explosion on September 13, 1909. He was awarded his second Medal of Honor by President William H. Taft at the White House on October 19, 1909. King is one of only 19 men in U.S. history to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor twice. He was promoted to Chief Watertender shortly after. King continued active duty until 1916 and was recalled during World War I, serving in New York until his final discharge in 1919.

King died on May 20, 1938, and is now buried in the Calvary Cemetery, Hot Springs, Garland County, Arkansas, USA. In honor of John King's legacy, the USS John King (DDG-3) was launched in 1960, followed by the unveiling of a commemorative plaque in Ballinrobe, Ireland, in 1961, and later a statue in Cornmarket, Ballinrobe, in 2010, attended by family members, locals, and U.S. Navy representatives.
Source of information: en.wikipedia.org, victoriacrossonline.co.uk/