List of Medal of Honor recipients in non-combat incidents facts for kids
The Medal of Honor is the highest award a military member can get in the United States. Before 1963, it could be given for brave actions that didn't involve fighting an enemy. These were often for saving lives during accidents or other dangers. About 204 people earned this medal for such non-combat actions. Most of these heroes were from the United States Navy. They earned their medals during things like boiler explosions, when someone fell overboard, or other risky situations at sea. This list includes 10 Navy members who received the medal during World War I and one during World War II.
The very last time the Medal of Honor was given for bravery not in combat was to Francis P. Hammerberg. He was a U.S. Navy diver. He bravely tried to save two other divers at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. Sadly, he lost his life during this rescue on February 17, 1945.
Below, you'll find a list of these brave people. It shows where and when they acted, and what their rank was at the time. If a medal was given after the person had passed away, it has a star (*) next to their name.
The Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor was first created during the American Civil War. It's the highest military award given by the United States to someone in its armed forces. Today, to receive it, a person must show extreme bravery. They must risk their own life far beyond what is expected, while fighting "an enemy of the United States" or "an opposing foreign force." Because of how dangerous these actions usually are, the medal is often given after the person has died.
A Medal of Honor for actions not involving combat hasn't been given since 1945.
Brave Actions in Peacetime
This with the * indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously
- Note: The descriptions below are taken from the official Medal of Honor awards.
Image | Name | Service | Rank | Place of action | Date of action | Notes |
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William Ahern | Navy | Watertender | USS Puritan (BM-1) | Jul 1, 1897 | Saved lives during a boiler problem. |
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William Anderson | Navy | Coxswain | USS Powhatan | Jun 28, 1878 | Rescued W. H. Moffatt from drowning. |
Daniel Atkins | Navy | Ship's Cook First Class | USS Cushing (TB-1) | Feb 11, 1898 | Tried to save Ensign Joseph C. Breckenridge from drowning. | |
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John F. Auer | Navy | Ordinary Seaman Apprentice | USS Lancaster, Marseille, France | Nov 20, 1883 | Rescued a French boy who fell from a pier and was drowning. |
William Badders | Navy | Chief Machinist's Mate | wreck site of USS Squalus (SS-192) | May 23, 1939 | As a diver, he helped rescue the crew of the sunken USS Squalus. | |
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Edward Barrett | Navy | Fireman Second Class | USS Alaska, Callao Bay, Peru | Sep 14, 1881 | Saved USS Alaska from a disaster by stopping a boiler explosion. |
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Richard Bates | Navy | Seaman | off Eastport, Maine | May 10, 1866 | Rescued James Rose and John Russell from drowning. |
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Frederick Behne | Navy | Fireman First Class | USS Iowa (BB-4) | Jan 25, 1905 | Showed amazing heroism saving the ship after a boiler exploded. |
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Heinrich Behnke | Navy | Seaman First Class | USS Iowa (BB-4) | Jan 25, 1905 | Showed amazing heroism saving the ship after a boiler exploded. |
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William H. Belpitt | Navy | Captain of the Afterguard | USS Monocacy, Fuzhou, China | Oct 7, 1884 | Rescued a Chinese man from drowning after his canoe flipped over. |
Floyd Bennett | Navy | Machinist | over the Arctic | May 9, 1926 | For his role in what was believed to be the first successful flight to the North Pole and back. | |
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James Benson | Navy | Seaman | USS Ossipee | Jun 20, 1872 | Tried to save Landsman John K. Smith from drowning. |
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Ernest H. Bjorkman | Navy | Ordinary Seaman | USS Leyden | Jan 21, 1903 | Showed heroism when his ship was sinking. |
Edward W. Boers | Navy | Seaman | USS Bennington (PG-4), San Diego, California | Jul 21, 1905 | Showed amazing heroism, saving his ship and many lives after a boiler exploded. | |
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Robert E. Bonney | Navy | Chief Watertender | USS Hopkins (DD-6) | Feb 14, 1910 | For heroism during a ship's boiler accident. |
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Alexander Bradley | Navy | Landsman | USS Wachusett, off Cowes, England | Aug 7, 1872 | Tried to save Landsman Philip Cassidy from drowning. |
Willis Winter Bradley, Jr. | Navy | Lieutenant | USS Pittsburgh en route to Buenos Aires, Argentina | Jul 23, 1917 | Entered a room full of explosives and put out a fire after an accidental blast. | |
Henry Breault | Navy | Torpedoman's Mate Second Class | USS O-5 (SS-66) | Oct 28, 1923 | Rescued another sailor when the submarine O-5 sank. | |
George Breeman | Navy | Seaman | USS Kearsarge (BB-5) | Apr 13, 1906 | For his actions after gunpowder accidentally caught fire. | |
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Patrick F. Bresnahan | Navy | Watertender | USS Iowa (BB-4) | Jan 25, 1905 | Showed amazing heroism saving the ship after a boiler exploded. |
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George F. Brock | Navy | Carpenter's Mate Second Class | USS Bennington (PG-4), San Diego, California | Jul 21, 1905 | For amazing heroism when a boiler exploded on his ship. |
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John Brown | Navy | Captain of the Afterguard | off Eastport, Maine | May 10, 1866 | Rescued James Rose and John Russell from drowning. |
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David M. Buchanan | Navy | Apprentice | USS Saratoga, off Battery, New York Harbor | Jul 15, 1879 | Saved Apprentice Robert Lee Robey from drowning, risking his own life. |
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Thomas Burke | Navy | Seaman | off Eastport, Maine | May 10, 1866 | Rescued James Rose and John Russell from drowning. |
Richard E. Byrd, Jr. | Navy | Commander | over the Arctic | May 9, 1926 | Led what was thought to be the first successful flight to the North Pole and back. | |
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Thomas Cahey | Navy | Seaman | USS Petrel (PG-2) | Mar 31, 1901 | Risked his life to save others from a fire on board. |
Tedford H. Cann | Navy | Seaman | USS May | Nov 5, 1917 | Dove into a flooded area to find and plug a leak that threatened his ship. | |
James Carey | Navy | Seaman | USS Huron | 1870 | Saved three shipmates from drowning. | |
Robert W. Cary | Navy | Ensign | USS San Diego (CA-6) | Jan 21, 1915 | Saved three men after a boiler exploded, then worked to prevent more explosions. | |
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August Chandron | Navy | Seaman Apprentice Second Class | USS Quinnebaug, Alexandria, Egypt | Nov 21, 1885 | Rescued Ordinary Seaman William Evans from drowning. |
George R. Cholister* | Navy | Boatswain's Mate First Class | USS Trenton (CL-11) | Oct 20, 1924 | Died from burns while trying to stop a deadly fire in a gun mount. | |
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Edward A. Clary | Navy | Watertender | USS Hopkins (DD-6) | Feb 14, 1910 | Showed amazing heroism during an accident with the ship's boiler. |
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John J. Clausey | Navy | Chief Gunner's Mate | USS Bennington (PG-4), San Diego, California | Jul 21, 1905 | For amazing heroism when a boiler exploded on his ship. |
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Michael Connolly | Navy | Ordinary Seaman | USS Plymouth, Halifax Harbour, Nova Scotia | Aug 7, 1876 | Rescued a citizen from drowning. |
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Demetri Corahorgi | Navy | Fireman First Class | USS Iowa (BB-4) | Jan 25, 1905 | Showed amazing heroism saving the ship after a boiler exploded. |
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William Corey | Navy | Landsman | USS Plymouth, Navy Yard, New York | Jul 26, 1876 | Made a heroic attempt to save a shipmate who fell overboard. |
William M. Corry, Jr.* | Navy | Lieutenant Commander | near Hartford, Connecticut | Oct 2, 1920 | Died from burns after trying to rescue a fellow officer from a burning plane. | |
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John Costello | Navy | Ordinary Seaman | USS Hartford, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Jul 16, 1876 | Rescued a landsman from USS Hartford from drowning. |
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Henry C. Courtney | Navy | Seaman | USS Portsmouth, Washington Navy Yard | Feb 7, 1882 | Rescued Charles Taliaferro, a Jack-of-the-Dust, from drowning. |
Jesse W. Covington | Navy | Ship's Cook Third class | USS Stewart | Apr 17, 1918 | Dove overboard and saved a man who was surrounded by boxes of explosives. | |
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Robert E. Cox | Navy | Chief Gunner's Mate | USS Missouri, off Pensacola, Florida | Apr 13, 1904 | Put out a fire in the ship's ammunition, saving the ship. |
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Thomas Cramen | Navy | Boatswain's Mate | USS Portsmouth, Washington Navy Yard | Feb 7, 1882 | Rescued Charles Taliaferro from drowning. |
Orson L. Crandall | Navy | Chief Boatswain's Mate | wreck site of USS Squalus (SS-192) | May 23, 1939 | As a diver, he helped rescue the crew of the sunken USS Squalus. | |
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William J. Creelman | Navy | Landsman | USS Maine (ACR-1) | Feb 1, 1897 | Made a heroic attempt to save a life at sea. |
Frank W. Crilley | Navy | Chief Gunner's Mate | wreck site of USS F-4 (SS-23), off Honolulu, Hawaii | Apr 17, 1915 | Rescued another diver who was trapped underwater in wreckage. | |
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Willie Cronan | Navy | Boatswain's Mate | USS Bennington (PG-4), San Diego, California | Jul 21, 1905 | Showed bravery during a ship's boiler explosion. |
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George W. Cutter | Navy | Landsman | USS Powhatan, Norfolk, Virginia | May 27, 1872 | Helped rescue a shipmate from drowning. |
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John Davis | Navy | Ordinary Seaman | USS Trenton, Toulon, France | Feb 1, 1881 | Rescued Coxswain Augustus Ohlensen from drowning. |
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Joseph H. Davis | Navy | Landsman | USS Dale, off wharf at Norfolk, Virginia | Jan 22, 1886 | Rescued Ordinary Seaman John Norman from drowning. |
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Raymond E. Davis | Navy | Quartermaster Third Class | USS Bennington (PG-4), San Diego, California | Jul 21, 1905 | For amazing heroism when a boiler exploded on his ship. |
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John Dempsey | Navy | Seaman | USS Kearsarge, Shanghai, China | Jan 23, 1875 | Bravely rescued a shipmate from drowning. |
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Michael Deneef | Navy | Captain of the Top | USS Swatara, Para, Brazil | Dec 1, 1875 | Jumped overboard and saved a shipmate from drowning. |
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Austin Denham | Navy | Seaman | USS Kansas, near Greytown, Nicaragua | Apr 12, 1872 | Helped prevent more deaths during a mass drowning. |
Henry C. Drexler* | Navy | Ensign | USS Trenton (CL-11) | Oct 20, 1924 | Died from burns while trying to stop a deadly fire in a gun mount. | |
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Frank Du Moulin | Navy | Apprentice | USS Sabine, New London Harbor | Sep 5, 1867 | Jumped overboard and saved Apprentice D'Orsay from drowning. |
Thomas Eadie | Navy | Chief Gunner's Mate | USS S-4 (SS-109) wreck site, off Provincetown, Massachusetts | Dec 18, 1927 | Rescued another diver who was trapped underwater. | |
Walter A. Edwards | Navy | Lieutenant Commander | USS Bainbridge (DD-246), Sea of Marmora, Turkey | Dec 16, 1922 | Led the rescue of passengers from the French military ship Vinh-Long. | |
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Henry A. Eilers | Navy | Gunner's Mate | USS Philadelphia (C-4), Fort McHenry, Baltimore, Maryland | Sep 17, 1892 | Put out burning pieces of an accidentally exploded cartridge in a powder room. |
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Walter Elmore | Navy | Landsman | USS Gettysburg | Oct 1, 1878 | Saved Landsman Wallace Febrey from drowning. |
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John Enright | Navy | Landsman | USS Ranger, off Ensenada, Mexico | Jan 18, 1886 | Jumped overboard and rescued Seamen John Bell and George Svensson from drowning. |
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John Everetts | Navy | Gunner's Mate Third Class | USS Cushing (TB-1) | Feb 11, 1898 | Tried to save Ensign Joseph C. Breckenridge from drowning. |
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Harry Delmar Fadden | Navy | Coxswain | USS Adams | Jun 30, 1903 | Rescued O.C. Hawthorne from drowning. |
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Isaac L. Fasseur | Navy | Ordinary Seaman | USS Lackawanna, Callao, Peru | Jun 13, 1884 | Rescued William Cruise from drowning. |
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John Flannagan | Navy | Boatswain's Mate | USS Supply | Oct 26, 1878 | Rescued Seaman David Walsh from drowning. |
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Edward Floyd | Navy | Boilermaker | USS Iowa (BB-4) | Jan 25, 1905 | Showed amazing heroism saving the ship after a boiler exploded. |
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Christopher Fowler | Navy | Quartermaster | USS Fortune, Point Zapotitlan, Mexico | May 11, 1874 | Showed bravery when the ship's boat capsized, causing some crew to drown. |
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Emil Fredericksen | Navy | Watertender | USS Bennington (PG-4), San Diego, California | Jul 21, 1905 | For amazing heroism when a boiler exploded on his ship. |
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Charles Gidding | Navy | Seaman | USS Plymouth, Navy Yard, New York | Jul 26, 1876 | Tried to rescue a shipmate from drowning. |
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Matthew Gillick | Navy | Boatswain's Mate | USS Lancaster, Marseille, France | Nov 20, 1883 | Rescued a French boy who fell from a pier and was drowning. |
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Alphonse Girandy | Navy | Seaman | USS Petrel (PG-2) | Mar 31, 1901 | Showed courage in fighting a fire. |
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William H. Gowan | Navy | Boatswain's Mate | Coquimbo, Chile | Jan 20, 1909 | Showed bravery during a fire. |
Ora Graves | Navy | Seaman | USS Pittsburgh en route to Buenos Aires, Argentina | Jul 23, 1917 | Put out a fire after an accidental explosion. | |
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Rade Grbitch | Navy | Seaman | USS Bennington (PG-4), San Diego, California | Jul 21, 1905 | For amazing heroism when a boiler exploded on his ship. |
Adolphus W. Greely | Army | Major General | various | Jul 26, 1861 – Mar 27, 1908 | For his many years of service. | |
William Halford | Navy | Coxswain | Pacific Ocean | Oct 1, 1870 | Sailed for 31 days in a small boat to Hawaii to get rescuers for his shipmates stranded near Midway Island. | |
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Luovi Halling | Navy | Boatswain's Mate First Class | USS Missouri | Sep 15, 1904 | Tried to rescue a shipmate from drowning. |
Francis Hammerberg* | Navy | Boatswain's Mate Second Class | Pearl Harbor Navy Yard | Feb 17, 1945 | Died while rescuing two other divers from a sunken ship at Pearl Harbor. He was the last person to get the Medal of Honor for a non-combat action. | |
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John Handran | Navy | Seaman | USS Franklin, Lisbon, Portugal | Jan 9, 1876 | Rescued a shipmate from drowning. |
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David Harrington | Navy | Fireman First Class | USS Tallapoosa | Aug 21, 1884 | Stayed in the engine room of his sinking ship until water put out the boiler fires. |
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John Hayden | Navy | Apprentice | USS Saratoga, off the Battery, New York Harbor | Jul 15, 1879 | Helped rescue R. L. Robey from drowning. |
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John H. Helms | Marine Corps | Sergeant | USS Chicago, Montevideo, Uruguay | Jan 10, 1901 | Rescued a shipmate from drowning. |
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Frank E. Hill | Navy | Ship's Cook First Class | USS Bennington (PG-4), San Diego, California | Jul 21, 1905 | For amazing heroism when a boiler exploded on his ship. |
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George Hill | Navy | Chief Quarter Gunner | USS Kansas, near Greytown, Nicaragua | Apr 12, 1872 | Helped prevent more deaths during a mass drowning. |
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William L. Hill | Navy | Captain of the Top | USS Minnesota, Newport, Rhode Island | Jun 22, 1881 | Rescued William Mulcahy from drowning. |
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George Holt | Navy | Quarter Gunner | USS Plymouth, Hamburg Harbor | Jul 3, 1871 | Rescued someone from drowning after they fell from a boat. |
August Holtz | Navy | Chief Watertender | USS North Dakota (BB-29) | Sep 8, 1910 | For heroism in fighting a fire on USS North Dakota. | |
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James Horton | Navy | Captain of the Top | USS Constitution | Feb 13, 1879 | Went over the ship's stern during a heavy storm to fix the rudder chains. |
William R. Huber | Navy | Machinist's Mate | USS Bruce (DD-329), Naval Shipyard, Norfolk, Virginia | Jun 11, 1928 | Risked his life and got badly burned rescuing Charles Bryan from a steam-filled boiler room. | |
Carlton B. Hutchins* | Navy | Lieutenant | off the coast of southern California | Feb 2, 1938 | Stayed at the controls of a damaged seaplane, saving the lives of his aircrew. | |
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Johannes J. Johannessen | Navy | Chief Watertender | USS Iowa (BB-4) | Jan 25, 1905 | Showed amazing heroism saving the ship after a boiler exploded. |
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John Johnson | Navy | Seaman | USS Kansas, near Greytown, Nicaragua | Apr 12, 1872 | Helped prevent more deaths during a mass drowning. |
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William Johnson | Navy | Cooper | USS Adams, Navy Yard, Mare Island, California | Nov 14, 1879 | Rescued Daniel W. Kloppen, a worker, from drowning. |
Claud Ashton Jones | Navy | Commander | USS Memphis (CA-10), off Santo Domingo City, Santo Domingo | Aug 29, 1916 | Saved the lives of the USS Memphis crew from a tsunami. | |
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Thomas Kersey | Navy | Ordinary Seaman | USS Plymouth, Navy Yard, New York | Jul 26, 1876 | Rescued a shipmate from drowning. |
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Hugh King | Navy | Ordinary Seaman | USS Iroquois, Delaware River | Sep 7, 1871 | Rescued one of the USS Iroquois crew from drowning. |
John King | Navy | Watertender | USS Salem (CL-3) | Sep 13, 1909 | For heroism during a boiler accident. | |
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John King | Navy | Watertender | USS Vicksburg (PG-11) | May 29, 1901 | For heroism during a boiler accident; he is one of only 19 people to receive the Medal of Honor twice. |
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Robert Klein | Navy | Chief Carpenter's Mate | USS Raleigh (C-8) | Jan 25, 1904 | Saved shipmates who were overcome by poisonous fumes. |
Patrick J. Kyle | Navy | Landsman | USS Quinnebaug, Port Mahon, Minorca | Mar 13, 1879 | Rescued a shipmate from drowning. | |
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John Lafferty | Navy | Fireman First Class | USS Alaska, Callao Bay, Peru | Sep 14, 1881 | Received his second Medal of Honor for actions during the Civil War. |
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Thomas Lakin | Navy | Seaman | USS Narragansett, Navy Yard, Mare Island, California | Nov 1, 1874 | Rescued two shipmates from drowning. |
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Emile Lejeune | Navy | Seaman | USS Plymouth, Port Royal, South Carolina | Jun 6, 1876 | Rescued a citizen from drowning. |
Charles Lindbergh | Air Corps | Captain | from New York City to Paris, France | May 20, 1927 – May 21, 1927 | For flying the first solo non-stop flight across the Atlantic Ocean. | |
Harry Lipscomb | Navy | Watertender | USS North Dakota (BB-29) | Sep 8, 1910 | For heroism in fighting a fire aboard his ship. | |
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George Low | Navy | Seaman | USS Tennessee, New Orleans, Louisiana | Feb 15, 1881 | Rescued N. P. Petersen, a Gunner's Mate, from drowning. |
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John Lucy | Navy | Second Class Boy | USS Minnesota, Castle Garden, New York | Jul 9, 1876 | For heroic actions aboard USS Minnesota during a fire at an immigration center. |
John MacKenzie | Navy | Chief Boatswain's Mate | USS Remlik (SP-157) in the Bay of Biscay | Dec 17, 1917 | Secured a live depth charge. | |
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Edward Maddin | Navy | Ordinary Seaman | USS Franklin, Lisbon, Portugal | Jan 9, 1876 | Rescued a shipmate from drowning. |
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John W. Magee | Navy | Fireman Second Class | USS Tallapoosa | Aug 21, 1884 | Stayed on duty in the fireroom until rising water put out the boilers. |
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Henry J. Manning | Navy | Quartermaster | USS New Hampshire, off Coasters Harbor Island, near Newport, Rhode Island | Jan 4, 1882 | Tried to rescue Jabez Smith from drowning. |
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Joseph Matthews | Navy | Captain of the Top | USS Constitution | Feb 13, 1879 | Went over the ship's stern during a heavy storm to fix the rudder chains. |
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John McCarton | Navy | Ship's Printer | USS New Hampshire, off Coasters Harbor Island, near Newport, Rhode Island | Jan 4, 1882 | Tried to rescue Jabez Smith from drowning. |
James H. McDonald | Navy | Chief Metalsmith | wreck site of USS Squalus (SS-192) | May 23, 1939 | As a diver, he helped rescue the crew of the sunken USS Squalus. | |
Patrick McGunigal | Navy | Shipfitter First class | USS Huntington | Sep 17, 1917 | Rescued the pilot of a crashed observation balloon. | |
John Mihalowski | Navy | Torpedoman First Class | wreck site of USS Squalus (SS-192) | May 23, 1939 | As a diver, he helped rescue the crew of the sunken USS Squalus. | |
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Hugh Miller | Navy | Boatswain's Mate | USS Quinnebaug, Alexandria, Egypt | Nov 21, 1885 | Helped rescue a shipmate from drowning. |
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John Millmore | Navy | Ordinary Seaman | USS Essex, Monrovia, Liberia | Oct 31, 1877 | Rescued Ordinary Seaman John W. Powers from drowning. |
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Thomas Mitchell | Navy | Landsman | USS Richmond, Shanghai, China | Nov 17, 1879 | Rescued First Class Boy M. F. Caulan from drowning. |
Mons Monssen | Navy | Chief Gunner's Mate | USS Missouri | Apr 13, 1904 | Entered an ammunition room to put out a fire with water. | |
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Francis Moore | Navy | Boatswain's Mate | USS Portsmouth, Washington Navy Yard | Jan 23, 1882 | Tried to rescue Thomas Duncan, a carpenter, from drowning. |
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Philip Moore | Navy | Seaman | USS Trenton, Genoa, Italy | Sep 21, 1880 | Rescued Ordinary Seaman Hans Paulsen from drowning. |
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John Morris | Marine Corps | Corporal | USS Lancaster, Villefranche, France | Dec 25, 1881 | Rescued Ordinary Seaman Robert Blizzard from drowning. |
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William Morse | Navy | Seaman | USS Shenandoah, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | Sep 19, 1880 | Rescued First Class Fireman James Grady from drowning. |
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Hugh P. Mullin | Navy | Seaman | USS Texas, off Hampton Roads, Virginia | Nov 11, 1899 | Rescued Apprentice Second Class Alfred Kosminski from drowning. |
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Oscar F. Nelson | Navy | Machinist's Mate First Class | USS Bennington (PG-4), San Diego, California | Jul 21, 1905 | For amazing heroism when a boiler exploded on his ship. |
Joseph B. Noil | Navy | Seaman | USS Powhatan, Norfolk, Virginia | Dec 26, 1872 | Saved Boatswain J. C. Walton from drowning. | |
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Isadore Nordstrom | Navy | Chief Boatswain's Mate | USS Kearsarge (BB-5) | Apr 13, 1906 | Rescued injured people after an ammunition fire in the front turret. |
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J. W. Norris | Navy | Landsman | USS Jamestown, New York Navy Yard | Dec 20, 1883 | Rescued A. A. George from drowning. |
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James F. O'Conner | Navy | Landsman | USS Jean Sands, opposite the Norfolk Navy Yard | Jun 15, 1880 | Rescued a young girl who had fallen overboard and was drowning. |
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John O'Neal | Navy | Boatswain's Mate | USS Kansas, near Greytown, Nicaragua | Apr 12, 1872 | Helped prevent more deaths during a mass drowning. |
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August Ohmsen | Navy | Master-at-Arms | USS Tallapoosa | Aug 21, 1884 | For his life-saving efforts during the sinking of USS Tallapoosa. |
Francis E. Ormsbee, Jr. | Navy | Chief Machinist's Mate | near the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida | Sep 25, 1918 | Rescued the gunner of a downed plane, but couldn't save the pilot. | |
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John Osborne | Navy | Seaman | USS Juniata (1862), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Aug 21, 1876 | Rescued an enlisted boy from USS Juniata from drowning. |
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Christian Osepins | Navy | Seaman | USS Fortune, Hampton Roads, Virginia | May 7, 1882 | Rescued Gunner's Mate James Walters from drowning. |
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Alexander Parker | Navy | Boatswain's Mate | Mare Island Naval Shipyard | Jul 25, 1876 | Tried to save a shipmate from drowning. |
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Alexander Peters | Navy | Boatswain's Mate First Class | USS Missouri | Sep 15, 1904 | Tried to rescue a shipmate from drowning. |
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Louis F. Pfeifer | Marine Corps | Private | USS Petrel (PG-2) | Mar 31, 1901 | "...for heroism and bravery, fearlessly risking his own life to save others during a fire on that ship." He served as Louis F. Theis during his first time in the military. |
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Richard Pile | Navy | Ordinary Seaman | USS Kansas, near Greytown, Nicaragua | Apr 12, 1872 | Helped prevent more deaths during a mass drowning. |
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Joseph Quick | Navy | Coxswain | Yokohama, Japan | Apr 27, 1902 | Rescued a shipmate from drowning. |
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Patrick Regan | Navy | Ordinary Seaman | USS Pensacola, harbor of Coquimbo, Chile | Jul 30, 1873 | Rescued a shipmate from drowning. |
Patrick Reid | Navy | Chief Watertender | USS North Dakota (BB-29) | Sep 8, 1910 | For heroism in fighting a fire on his ship. | |
Charles C. Roberts | Navy | Machinist's Mate First Class | USS North Dakota (BB-29) | Sep 8, 1910 | For heroism in fighting a fire on his ship. | |
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John Robinson | Navy | Captain of the Hold | Pensacola Bay, Florida | Jan 19, 1867 | Swam ashore through a heavy storm with a rescue line to resupply the ship. |
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Thomas Robinson | Navy | Captain of the Afterguard | off New Orleans, Louisiana | Jul 15, 1866 | For efforts to save Wellington Brocar from drowning. |
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Johannes Rouning | Navy | Ordinary Seaman | USS Fortune, Hampton Roads, Virginia | May 7, 1882 | Rescued Gunner's Mate James Walters from drowning. |
George W. Rud* | Navy | Chief Machinist's Mate | USS Memphis (CA-10), off Santo Domingo City, Santo Domingo | Aug 29, 1916 | Died from scalding at his post while a tsunami destroyed his ship. | |
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John Russell | Navy | Seaman | USS Trenton, Genoa, Italy | Sep 21, 1880 | Rescued Ordinary Seaman Hans Paulsen from drowning. |
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Richard Ryan | Navy | Ordinary Seaman | USS Hartford, Norfolk, Virginia | Mar 4, 1876 | Rescued a shipmate from drowning. |
Thomas J. Ryan | Navy | Ensign | Yokohama, Japan | Sep 1, 1923 | Rescued a woman from the burning Grand Hotel after an earthquake. | |
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William Sadler | Navy | Captain of the Top | USS Saratoga, off Coasters Harbor Island, Rhode Island | Jun 25, 1881 | Rescued Second Class Boy Frank Gallagher from drowning. |
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Isaac Sapp | Navy | Seaman | USS Shenandoah, Villefranche, France | Dec 15, 1871 | Helped save Seaman Charles Prince from drowning. |
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Charles S. Schepke | Navy | Gunner's Mate First Class | USS Missouri | Apr 13, 1904 | Put out a fire in the ship's ammunition, saving the ship. |
Oscar Schmidt, Jr. | Navy | Chief Gunner's Mate | USS Chestnut Hill | Oct 9, 1918 | Rescued a wounded man from the water and tried to save another. | |
Otto D. Schmidt | Navy | Seaman | USS Bennington (PG-4), San Diego, California | Jul 21, 1905 | For amazing heroism when a boiler exploded on his ship. | |
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William S. Shacklette | Navy | Hospital Steward | USS Bennington (PG-4), San Diego, California | Jul 21, 1905 | Showed bravery during a ship's boiler explosion. |
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Patrick Shanahan | Navy | Chief Boatswain's Mate | USS Alliance | May 28, 1899 | Rescued Quartermaster First Class William Steven from drowning. |
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John O. Siegel | Navy | Boatswain's Mate Second Class | Mohawk (YT-17) | Nov 1, 1918 | Rescued two men from a burning ship before being trapped by smoke himself. |
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Henry L. Simpson* | Navy | Fireman First Class | USS Essex, Monrovia, Liberia | Oct 31, 1877 | Rescued Ordinary Seaman John W. Powers from drowning. |
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Albert J. Smith | Marine Corps | Private | Marine Barracks, Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida | Feb 11, 1921 | Pulled a man from the wreckage of a crashed and burning seaplane. |
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Eugene P. Smith | Navy | Chief Watertender | USS Decatur (DD-5) | Sep 9, 1915 | Entered rooms right after an explosion to rescue injured shipmates. |
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James Smith | Navy | Seaman | USS Kansas, near Greytown, Nicaragua | Apr 12, 1872 | Helped prevent more deaths during a mass drowning. |
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John Smith | Navy | Seaman | USS Shenandoah, off Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | Sep 19, 1880 | Rescued First Class Fireman James Grady from drowning. |
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Thomas Smith | Navy | Seaman | USS Enterprise, off Para, Brazil | Oct 1, 1878 | Rescued Coxswain William Kent from drowning. |
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Wilhelm Smith | Navy | Gunner's Mate First Class | USS New York | Jan 24, 1916 | Entered a room full of gases and rescued a shipmate. |
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William E. Snyder | Navy | Chief Electrician | USS Birmingham (CL-2), Hampton Roads, Virginia | Jan 4, 1910 | Rescued Seaman G.H. Kephart from drowning. |
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William B. Stacy | Navy | Seaman | harbor of Cape Haiten | before January 15, 1866 | Rescued one of the crew of USS Rhode Island (1861) from drowning. |
Thomas Stanton | Navy | Chief Machinist's Mate | USS North Dakota (BB-29) | Sep 8, 1910 | For heroism in fighting a fire on USS North Dakota. | |
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James A. Stewart | Marine Corps | Corporal | USS Plymouth, harbor of Villefranche, France | Feb 1, 1872 | Rescued Midshipman Osterhaus from drowning. |
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John Stokes | Navy | Chief Master-at-Arms | USS New York, off Jamaica | Mar 31, 1899 | Helped rescue Watertender Peter Mahoney from drowning. |
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Loddie Stupka | Navy | Fireman First Class | USS Leyden | Jan 21, 1903 | For heroism during the sinking of his ship. |
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James F. Sullivan | Navy | Boatswain's Mate | USS New Hampshire, Newport, Rhode Island | Apr 21, 1882 | Rescued Third Class Boy Francis T. Price from drowning. |
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Robert A. Sweeney | Navy | Ordinary Seaman | USS Kearsarge, at Hampton Roads, Virginia | Oct 26, 1881 | Helped save a shipmate from drowning. |
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Robert A. Sweeney | Navy | Ordinary Seaman | USS Yantic at New York Navy Yard | Dec 20, 1883 | Rescued A. A. George from drowning. |
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William Sweeney | Navy | Landsman | USS Jean Sands, opposite the Norfolk Navy Yard | Jun 15, 1880 | Rescued a young girl who had fallen overboard and was drowning. |
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John Taylor | Navy | Seaman | Brooklyn Navy Yard | Sep 9, 1865 | Rescued his commander from drowning. |
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Richard H. Taylor | Navy | Quartermaster | USS Nipsic, Apia, Samoa | Mar 16, 1889 | Showed bravery during a hurricane. |
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August P. Teytand | Navy | Quartermaster Third Class | USS Leyden | Jan 21, 1903 | Heroism during the sinking of his ship. |
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James Thayer | Navy | Ship's Corporal | Naval Station Norfolk | Nov 16, 1879 | Rescued a shipmate from drowning. |
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Henry Thompson | Navy | Seaman | Mare Island, California | Jun 27, 1878 | Rescued a man from drowning. |
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Michael Thornton | Navy | Seaman | USS Leyden, near Boston, Massachusetts | Aug 26, 1881 | Rescued Landsman Michael Drennan from drowning. |
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Paul Tobin | Navy | Landsman | USS Plymouth, Hamburg Harbor | Jul 3, 1871 | Rescued someone from drowning after they fell from a boat. |
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Telesforo Trinidad | Navy | Fireman Second Class | USS San Diego (CA-6) | Jan 21, 1915 | Rescued R. E. Daly and another injured fireman from a boiler explosion, even though he had facial burns. |
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James M. Trout | Navy | Fireman Second Class | USS Frolic, Montevideo | Apr 20, 1877 | Tried to save a shipmate from drowning. |
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Jeremiah Troy | Navy | Chief Boatswain's Mate | USS New Hampshire, Newport, Rhode Island | Apr 21, 1882 | Rescued Third Class Boy Francis T. Price from drowning. |
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Alexander H. Turvelin | Navy | Seaman | USS Trenton, Toulon, France | Feb 1, 1881 | Rescued Coxswain Augustus Ohlensen from drowning. |
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Frank M. Upton | Navy | Ensign | USS Stewart | Apr 17, 1918 | Dove overboard and rescued a man who was surrounded by boxes of explosives. |
Michael Walsh | Navy | Chief Machinist | USS Leyden | Jan 21, 1903 | For heroism during the sinking of his ship. | |
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Albert Weisbogel | Navy | Captain of the Mizzen Top | USS Plymouth | Apr 27, 1876 | Rescued a shipmate from drowning. |
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Albert Weisbogel | Navy | Captain of the Mizzen Top | USS Benicia | Jan 11, 1874 | Rescued a shipmate from drowning. |
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Adam Weissel | Navy | Ship's Cook | USS Minnesota, Newport, Rhode Island | Aug 26, 1881 | Rescued Captain of the Forecastle C. Lorenze from drowning. |
Karl Westa | Navy | Chief Machinist's Mate | USS North Dakota (BB-29) | Sep 8, 1910 | For heroism in fighting a fire on his ship. | |
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George H. Wheeler | Navy | Shipfitter First Class | Coquimbo, Chile | Jan 20, 1909 | Showed amazing heroism during a fire. |
Charles H. Willey | Navy | Machinist | USS Memphis (CA-10), off Santo Domingo City, Santo Domingo | Aug 29, 1916 | Saved lives when his ship was lost to a tsunami. | |
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Antonio Williams | Navy | Seaman | USS Huron | Nov 24, 1877 | For courage and loyalty when his ship was lost. |
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Henry Williams | Navy | Carpenter's Mate | USS Constitution | Feb 13, 1879 | Went over the ship's stern during a heavy storm and did important carpentry work on the rudder. |
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Louis Williams | Navy | Captain of the Hold | USS Lackawanna, Honolulu, Hawaii | Mar 16, 1883 | Rescued Landsman Thomas Moran from drowning. |
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Louis Williams | Navy | Captain of the Hold | USS Lackawanna, Callao, Peru | Jun 13, 1884 | Rescued William Cruise from drowning. |
George Willis | Navy | Coxswain | USS Tigress, off the coast of Greenland | Sep 22, 1873 | Singlehandedly tied down a loose sail, stopping damage to the ship. | |
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August Wilson | Navy | Boilermaker | USS Puritan (BM-1) | Jul 1, 1897 | For heroism during a boiler malfunction. |