Seaman Louis Williams was a sailor in the U.S. Navy who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on March 16, 1883 in Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii — 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 about 38 years old.
He later rose to the rank of Captain of the Hold. Williams is one of the few people to receive the Medal of Honor twice; see his other award (June 13, 1884).
Williams was born in 1845 in Christiana (now Oslo), Norway — one of 22 recipients born in Norway. His Medal of Honor is credited to California. Williams died on February 20, 1886 in Brooklyn, New York, at the age of about 41. He is buried at Cypress Hills National Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York. Records also list him as Olsen, Ludwig Andreas.
Official Medal of Honor citation
First Award: For jumping overboard from the U.S.S. Lackawanna, 16 March 1883, at Honolulu, T.H., and rescuing from drowning Thomas Moran, landsman.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Places
- Buried: Cypress Hills National Cemetery — map
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Timeline
- 1845Born in Christiana (now Oslo), Norway
- March 16, 1883Act of valor — Honolulu, Territory of HawaiiAge about 38. U.S.S. Lackawanna
- February 20, 1886Died in Brooklyn, New YorkAge about 41.
- 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 →
