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Chief Gunner's Mate · U.S. Navy

Thomas Eadie

Chief Gunner's Mate Thomas Eadie, Navy, received the Medal of Honor for actions on December 18, 1927 off Provincetown, Massachusetts (Interim 1920–1940).

Chief Gunner's Mate Thomas Eadie, a sailor in the U.S. Navy, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on December 18, 1927 off Provincetown, Massachusetts — a peacetime act of courage recognized in the Interim 1920 - 1940 period. Eadie was 40 years old.

The medal was presented on February 23, 1928 — the White House, presented by Pres. Calvin Coolidge.

Eadie was born on April 7, 1887 in Scotland — one of 41 recipients born in Scotland. His Medal of Honor is credited to Newport, Newport County, Rhode Island. Eadie died on November 14, 1974 in Brockton, Massachusetts, at the age of 87. He is buried at Island Cemetery in Annex Newport, Rhode Island.

Official Medal of Honor citation

For display of extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession above and beyond the call of duty on 18 December 1927, during the diving operations in connection with the sinking of the U.S.S. S-4 with all on board, as a result of a collision off Provincetown, Mass. On this occasion when Michels, chief torpedoman, U.S. Navy, while attempting to connect an air line to the submarine at a depth of 102 feet became seriously fouled, Eadie, under the most adverse diving conditions, deliberately, knowingly, and willingly took his own life in his hands by promptly descending to the rescue in response to the desperate need of his companion diver. After two hours of extremely dangerous and heartbreaking work, by his cool, calculating, and skillful labors, he succeeded in his mission and brought Michels safely to the surface.

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

Other decorations and honors

Besides the Medal of Honor, Thomas Eadie received:

Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: World War I.

Places

  • Born: Glasgow — map
  • Died: Brockton — map
  • Buried: Island Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Rhode Island →

Timeline

  1. April 7, 1887
    Born in Scotland
  2. December 18, 1927
    Act of valor — off Provincetown, Massachusetts
    Age 40.
  3. February 23, 1928
    Medal of Honor presented
    The White House, presented by Pres. Calvin Coolidge
  4. November 14, 1974
    Died in Brockton, Massachusetts
    Age 87.
  5. Resting place
    Island Cemetery
    Annex Newport, Rhode Island

Biography

Thomas Eadie (April 8, 1887 – November 14, 1974) was a United States Navy diver and a recipient of America's highest military decoration - the Medal of Honor.

From the Wikipedia article “Thomas Eadie”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

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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.