Gunner's Mate Henry A. Eilers, a sailor in the U.S. Navy, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on September 17, 1892 at Fort McHenry, Baltimore, Maryland — a peacetime act of courage recognized in the Interim 1871 - 1899 period. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Philadelphia. Eilers was 22 years old.
He later rose to the rank of Gunner.
Eilers was born on August 11, 1870 in Newark, Essex County, New Jersey. His Medal of Honor is credited to New Jersey. Eilers died on June 30, 1901, at the age of 30. He is buried at Cypress Hills Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.
Official Medal of Honor citation
On board the U.S.S. Philadelphia during the sham attack on Fort McHenry, Baltimore, Md., 17 September 1892. Displaying extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession on this occasion, Eilers remained at his post in the magazine and stamped out the burning particles of a prematurely exploded cartridge which had blown down the chute.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Places
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Timeline
- August 11, 1870Born in Newark, Essex County, New Jersey
- September 17, 1892Act of valor — Fort McHenry, Baltimore, MarylandAge 22. U.S.S. Philadelphia
- June 30, 1901DiedAge 30.
- Resting placeCypress Hills CemeteryBrooklyn, New York
Biography
Henry Anton Eilers (August 11, 1870 – June 30, 1901) was a gunner's mate serving in the United States Navy who received the Medal of Honor for bravery.
From the Wikipedia article “Henry A. Eilers”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →