The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Chief Machinist Thomas C. Cooney, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action on board the U.S. Torpedo Boat Winslow during the action at Cardenas, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Following the piercing of the boiler by an enemy shell, Chief Machinist Cooney, by his gallantry and promptness in extinguishing the resulting flames, saved the boiler tubes from burning out.