Boilermaker August Wilson, a sailor in the U.S. Navy, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on July 1, 1897 in Brooklyn Navy Yard, Brooklyn, New York — a peacetime act of courage recognized in the Interim 1871 - 1899 period. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Puritan. Wilson was 33 years old.
One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day.
Wilson was born on March 1, 1864 in Danzig (now Gdansk), Poland (Prussia/Germany) — one of 6 recipients born in Poland. His Medal of Honor is credited to New York.
Official Medal of Honor citation
For gallant conduct while serving on board the U.S.S. Puritan and at the time of the collapse of one of the crown sheets of boiler E on that vessel, 1 July 1897. Wrapping wet cloths about his face and arms, Wilson entered the fireroom and opened the safety valve, thus removing the danger of disabling the other boilers.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Places
- Born: Germany — map
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Timeline
- March 1, 1864Born in Danzig (now Gdansk), Poland (Prussia/Germany)
- July 1, 1897Act of valor — Brooklyn Navy Yard, Brooklyn, New YorkAge 33. U.S.S. Puritan
Biography
August Wilson (March 1, 1864 – ?) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.
From the Wikipedia article “August Wilson (Medal of Honor)”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →