Torpedoman Second Class Henry Breault, a sailor in the U.S. Navy, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on October 28, 1923 at Limon Bay, Canal Zone, Panama — a peacetime act of courage recognized in the Interim 1920 - 1940 period. At the time he was serving with U.S. Submarine 0-5. Breault was 23 years old.
The medal was presented on March 8, 1924 — the White House, presented by Pres. Calvin Coolidge.
Breault was born on October 14, 1900 in Putnam, Windham County, Connecticut. His Medal of Honor is credited to Vermont. Breault died on December 5, 1941 in Newport, Rhode Island, at the age of 41. He is buried at St. Mary's Cemetery in Putnam, Connecticut.
Official Medal of Honor citation
For heroism and devotion to duty while serving on board the U.S. submarine 0-5 at the time of the sinking of that vessel. On the morning of 28 October 1923, the 0-5 collided with the steamship Abangarez and sank in less than a minute. When the collision occurred, Breault was in the torpedo room. Upon reaching the hatch, he saw that the boat was rapidly sinking. Instead of jumping overboard to save his own life, he returned to the torpedo room to the rescue of a shipmate who he knew was trapped in the boat, closing the torpedo room hatch on himself. Breault and Brown remained trapped in this compartment until rescued by the salvage party 31 hours later.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
From the archives
Additional information comes from Navy General Orders 125, dated 20 February 1924:
"At 6.24 on the morning of 28 October 1923, the O-5 collided with the S.S. Abangarez, and sank in less than a minute. When the collision occurred Breault was in the torpedo room. Upon reaching the hatch he saw that the boat was rapidly sinking. Instead of jumping overboard to save his own life he returned to the torpedo room to the rescue of a shipmate whom he knew was trapped in the boat, closing the torpedo-room hatch on himself. With the aid of Brown, the member of the crew who was trapped, Breault closed the water-tight door between the forward battery compartment and the torpedo room. By the time this was accomplished the board had sunk in 40 feet of water, with every compartment flooded except the torpedo room. Breault and Brown remained trapped in this compartment until rescued by the salvage party, 31 hours later."
Timeline
- October 14, 1900Born in Putnam, Windham County, Connecticut
- October 28, 1923Act of valor — Limon Bay, Canal Zone, PanamaAge 23. U.S. Submarine 0-5
- March 8, 1924Medal of Honor presentedThe White House, presented by Pres. Calvin Coolidge
- December 5, 1941Died in Newport, Rhode IslandAge 41.
- Resting placeSt. Mary's CemeteryPutnam, Connecticut
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