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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Ordinary Seaman · U.S. Navy

Samuel S. Triplett

Ordinary Seaman Samuel S. Triplett, Navy, received the Medal of Honor for actions between July 26 and 27, 1898 in approaches to Caimanera, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba during the Spanish-American War.

Spanish-American War July 26 - 27, 1898

Serving as a sailor in the U.S. Navy, Ordinary Seaman Samuel S. Triplett received the Medal of Honor for his actions between July 26 and 27, 1898 in approaches to Caimanera, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba during the Spanish-American War. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Marblehead. Triplett was 28 years old.

3 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. He later rose to the rank of Chief Gunner.

Triplett was born on December 18, 1869 in Cherokee, Crawford County, Kansas. His Medal of Honor is credited to New York. Triplett died on August 25, 1957 in Topeka, Kansas, at the age of 87. He is buried at Edna Elm Grove Cemetery in Edna, Kansas.

Triplett is one of 110 Medal of Honor recipients from the Spanish-American War and one of 678 credited to New York.

Official Medal of Honor citation

On board the U.S.S. Marblehead at the approaches to Caimanera, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, 26 and 27 July 1898. Displaying heroism, Triplett took part in the perilous work of sweeping for and disabling 27 contact mines during this period.

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

Timeline

  1. December 18, 1869
    Born in Cherokee, Crawford County, Kansas
  2. July 26 - 27, 1898
    Act of valor — approaches to Caimanera, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
    Age 28. U.S.S. Marblehead
  3. August 25, 1957
    Died in Topeka, Kansas
    Age 87.
  4. Resting place
    Edna Elm Grove Cemetery
    Edna, Kansas

Also honored for actions on July 26 - 27, 1898

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

Same unit

JB James Harvey Bennett Chief Boatswain's Mate · 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 John Davis Gunner's Mate Third Class · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 JD John James Doran Boatswain's Mate Second Class · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 NE Nicholas Erickson Coxswain · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 WF William Farley Boatswain's Mate · Navy Civil War · 1863

More Spanish-American War recipients from New York

GS Gustav Adolf Sundquist Ordinary Seaman · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 JM John Edward Murphy Coxswain · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 OF Oscar Wadsworth Field Private · Marine Corps Spanish-American War · 1898 Richmond Pearson Hobson Lieutenant · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 EK Ernest Krause Coxswain · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 TH Thomas Hoban Coxswain · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.