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Seaman · U.S. Navy

Herbert Louis Foss

Seaman Herbert Louis Foss, Navy, received the Medal of Honor for actions on May 11, 1898 in Cienfuegos, Cuba during the Spanish-American War.

Spanish-American War May 11, 1898

Serving as a sailor in the U.S. Navy, Seaman Herbert Louis Foss received the Medal of Honor for his actions on May 11, 1898 in Cienfuegos, Cuba during the Spanish-American War. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Marblehead. Foss was 26 years old.

54 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day.

Foss was born on October 12, 1871 in Belfast, Waldo County, Maine. His Medal of Honor is credited to Maine. Foss died on September 1, 1937, at the age of 65. He is buried at Forest Hill Cemetery in Hingman, Massachusetts.

Foss is one of 110 Medal of Honor recipients from the Spanish-American War and one of 66 credited to Maine.

Official Medal of Honor citation

On board the U.S.S. Marblehead during the operation of cutting the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, Foss set an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this action.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: Spanish–American War.

Places

  • Born: Belfast — map
  • Died: Hingham — map
  • Buried: Fort Hill Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Maine →

Timeline

  1. October 12, 1871
    Born in Belfast, Waldo County, Maine
  2. May 11, 1898
    Act of valor — Cienfuegos, Cuba
    Age 26. U.S.S. Marblehead
  3. September 1, 1937
    Died
    Age 65.
  4. Resting place
    Forest Hill Cemetery
    Hingman, Massachusetts

Biography

Herbert Louis Foss (October 12, 1871 – September 1, 1937) was a Seaman in the United States Navy who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Spanish–American War.

From the Wikipedia article “Herbert L. Foss”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Also honored for actions on May 11, 1898

Benjamin F. Baker Coxswain · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 DB David Duffy Barrow Seaman · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 JB James Harvey Bennett Chief Boatswain's Mate · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 AB Albert Beyer Coxswain · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 RB Robert Blume Seaman · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 GB George F. Brady Chief Gunner's Mate · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 GB George Washington Bright Coal Passer · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 DC Daniel J. Campbell Private · Marine Corps Spanish-American War · 1898 JC Joseph Edward Carter Blacksmith · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 LC Leonard B. Chadwick Apprentice First Class · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 TC Thomas C. Cooney Chief Machinist · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 John Davis Gunner's Mate Third Class · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898

See all 55 recipients for May 11, 1898 →

Same unit

WF William Farley Boatswain's Mate · Navy Civil War · 1863 WM William Henry Morin Boatswain's Mate Second Class · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 WS William Spicer Gunner's Mate First Class · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 AS Axel Leohard Sundquist Chief Carpenter's Mate · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 ST Samuel S. Triplett Ordinary Seaman · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898

More Spanish-American War recipients from Maine

TD Thomas M. Doherty Corporal · Army Spanish-American War · 1898
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.