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Lieutenant Commander · U.S. Navy

Walter Atlee Edwards

Lieutenant Commander Walter Atlee Edwards, Navy, received the Medal of Honor for actions on December 16, 1922 in Sea of Marmora, Turkey (Interim 1920–1940).

Interim 1920 - 1940 December 16, 1922

Lieutenant Commander Walter Atlee Edwards, a sailor in the U.S. Navy, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on December 16, 1922 in Sea of Marmora, Turkey — a peacetime act of courage recognized in the Interim 1920 - 1940 period. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Bainbridge. Edwards was 36 years old.

The medal was presented on February 2, 1924.

Edwards was born on November 8, 1886 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. His Medal of Honor is credited to Pennsylvania. Edwards died on January 15, 1928, at the age of 41. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

★ Rescue & Lifesaving★ Fire & Explosions at Sea

Official Medal of Honor citation

For heroism in rescuing 482 men, women, and children from the French military transport Vinh-Long, destroyed by fire in the Sea of Marmora, Turkey, on 16 December 1922. Lt. Comdr. Edwards, commanding the U.S.S. Bainbridge, placed his vessel alongside the bow of the transport and, in spite of several violent explosions which occurred on the burning vessel, maintained his ship in that position until all who were alive were taken on board. Of a total of 495 on board, 482 were rescued by his coolness, judgment, and professional skill, which were combined with a degree of heroism that must reflect new glory on the U.S. Navy.

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

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: World War I.

Life beyond the battlefield

Source: Wikidata.

Places

  • Born: Philadelphia — map
  • Died: Washington, D.C. — map
  • Buried: Arlington National Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Pennsylvania →

Timeline

  1. November 8, 1886
    Born in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
  2. December 16, 1922
    Act of valor — Sea of Marmora, Turkey
    Age 36. U.S.S. Bainbridge
  3. February 2, 1924
    Medal of Honor presented
  4. January 15, 1928
    Died
    Age 41.
  5. Resting place
    Arlington National Cemetery
    Arlington, Virginia

Biography

Walter Atlee Edwards (November 8, 1886 – January 15, 1928) was a Lieutenant-Commander in the United States Navy and a recipient of America's highest military decoration – the Medal of Honor.

From the Wikipedia article “Walter Atlee Edwards”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

More Interim 1920–1940 recipients from Pennsylvania

William Russell Huber Machinist's Mate · Navy Interim 1920–1940 · 1928 Henry Clay Drexler Ensign · Navy Interim 1920–1940 · 1924 ✦
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.