Seaman Richard Bates, a sailor in the U.S. Navy, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on May 10, 1866 off Eastport, Maine — a peacetime act of courage recognized in the Interim 1865 - 1870 period. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Winooski. Bates was about 37 years old.
2 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day.
Bates was born in 1829 in Wales — one of 8 recipients born in Wales. His Medal of Honor is credited to New York. Bates died on December 7, 1889 in Brooklyn, New York, at the age of about 60. He is buried at Cypress Hills National Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York. Records also list him as Bates, Wyndham Richard.
Official Medal of Honor citation
For heroic conduct in rescuing from drowning James Rose and John Russell, seamen of the U.S.S. Winooski, off Eastport, Maine, 10 May 1866.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New York →
Timeline
- 1829Born in Wales
- May 10, 1866Act of valor — off Eastport, MaineAge about 37. U.S.S. Winooski
- December 7, 1889Died in Brooklyn, New YorkAge about 60.
- Resting placeCypress Hills National CemeteryBrooklyn, New York
Biography
Wyndham Richard Bates (1829–1889) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor. A native of Wales, Bates immigrated to the U.S. and joined the Navy from the state of New York. By May 10, 1866, he was serving as a seaman on the USS De Soto. On that day, while the De Soto was off the coast of Eastport, Maine, he and two shipmates rescued two sailors from the USS Winooski from drowning. For this action, he and his shipmates, Captain of the Afterguard John Brown and Seaman Thomas Burke, were awarded the Medal of Honor three months later, on August 1.
From the Wikipedia article “Richard Bates (Medal of Honor)”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
