Career
Born on May 15, 1852, in Newfoundland, Maddin joined the Navy from Massachusetts. By January 9, 1876, he was serving as an ordinary seaman on the United States Ship Franklin. On that morning, while Franklin was at Lisbon, Portugal, Landsman Henry O. Neil fell from the ship"s lower boom into the water and was swept away by a strong tidal current.
Maddin and another sailor, Seaman John Handran, jumped overboard and kept Neil afloat until a boat could be sent to their assistance.
Serving on board the United States.S. Franklin at Lisbon, Portugal, 9 January 1876. Displaying gallant conduct, Maddin jumped overboard and rescued one of the crew of that vessel from drowning.
