Captain of the Hold Louis Williams was a sailor in the U.S. Navy who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on June 13, 1884 in Callao, Peru — a peacetime act of courage recognized in the Interim 1871 - 1899 period. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Lackawanna. Williams was 38 years old.
One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. Williams is one of the few people to receive the Medal of Honor twice; see his other award (March 16, 1883).
Williams was born on June 17, 1845 in Christiana (now Oslo) — one of 22 recipients born in Norway. His Medal of Honor is credited to California. Williams died on February 20, 1886, at the age of 40. He is buried at Cypress Hills National Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Second Award: Serving on board the U.S.S. Lackawanna, Williams rescued from drowning William Cruise, who had fallen overboard at Callao, Peru, 13 June 1884.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Places
- Buried: Cypress Hills National Cemetery — map
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Timeline
- June 17, 1845Born in Christiana (now Oslo)
- June 13, 1884Act of valor — Callao, PeruAge 38. U.S.S. Lackawanna
- February 20, 1886DiedAge 40.
- Resting placeCypress Hills National CemeteryBrooklyn, New York
Biography
Ludwig Andreas Olsen (1845 – February 20, 1886), also known as Louis Williams, was a United States Navy sailor and one of only 19 people to ever be awarded two Medals of Honor. Both awards were for non-combat actions rescuing fellow seamen.
From the Wikipedia article “Ludwig Andreas Olsen”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
