John Cushing Aylwin (1780s – January 28, 1813) was an officer in the

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the naval warfare, maritime military branch, service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is the world's most powerful navy with the largest Displacement (ship), displacement, at 4.5 millio ...

during the

War of 1812 The War of 1812 was fought by the United States and its allies against the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, United Kingdom and its allies in North America. It began when the United States United States declaration of war on the Uni ...

.Marquis Who's Who, Inc. ''Who Was Who in American History, the Military''. Chicago: Marquis Who's Who, 1975.P.49

Early life

Born in

Quebec Quebec is Canada's List of Canadian provinces and territories by area, largest province by area. Located in Central Canada, the province shares borders with the provinces of Ontario to the west, Newfoundland and Labrador to the northeast, ...

, Canada, Aylwin worked on board

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naval vessels at an early age. Though never formally enrolled in the

Royal Navy The Royal Navy (RN) is the naval warfare force of the United Kingdom. It is a component of His Majesty's Naval Service, and its officers hold their commissions from the King of the United Kingdom, King. Although warships were used by Kingdom ...

, he received increasing responsibilities eventually performing the duties of a mate by 1795. He refused the offer of a

midshipman A midshipman is an officer of the lowest Military rank#Subordinate/student officer, rank in the Royal Navy, United States Navy, and many Commonwealth of Nations, Commonwealth navies. Commonwealth countries which use the rank include Royal Cana ...

's warrant, but continued service at sea—apparently against his will—for another six years. Ill health, however, finally brought about his return home.

Later career

Then, for several years, he commanded merchant ships out of

Boston, Massachusetts Boston is the capital and most populous city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States. The city serves as the cultural and Financial centre, financial center of New England, a region of the Northeas ...

. When war between the

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and

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broke out in 1812, Aylwin received an appointment as a

lieutenant A lieutenant ( , ; abbreviated Lt., Lt, LT, Lieut and similar) is a Junior officer, junior commissioned officer rank in the armed forces of many nations, as well as fire services, emergency medical services, Security agency, security services ...

in the United States Navy and became

sailing master The master, or sailing master, is a historical rank for a naval Officer (armed forces), officer trained in and responsible for the navigation of a sailing ship, sailing vessel. In the Royal Navy, the master was originally a warrant officer who ...

on ''Constitution''. He received commendations for his gallantry during that frigate's engagement with ''Guerriere'' on 19 August 1812. In which he refused medical attention until everyone else on the ship had received it. Lt. Aylwin took part in the battle between ''Constitution'' and HMS ''Java'' on 29 December 1812. Severely wounded during that encounter, Aylwin later died at sea.

Namesakes

Four ships in the United States Navy have been named USS ''Aylwin'' for him.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Aylwin, John Cushing 1780s births 1813 deaths American military personnel killed in the War of 1812 People who died at sea Pre-Confederation Quebec people United States Navy officers United States Navy personnel of the War of 1812