Gunner's Mate First Class Wilhelm Smith was a sailor in the U.S. Navy who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on January 24, 1916 aboard U.S.S. New York — a peacetime act of courage recognized in the Interim 1915 - 1916 period. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. New York. Smith was 45 years old.
Smith was born on April 10, 1870 in Germany — one of 130 recipients born in Germany. His Medal of Honor is credited to New York. Smith died on October 30, 1925, at the age of 55. He is buried at Cypress Hills National Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.
Official Medal of Honor citation
On board the U.S.S. New York; for entering a compartment filled with gases and rescuing a shipmate on 24 January 1916.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New York →
From the archives
Additional information on his action comes from U.S. Navy General Order No. 202, dated April 6, 1916, which restates a report of the first division officer of the USS New York:
"On January 24, 1916, the sanitary tank in compartment A-12 was opened up for the purpose of routine cleaning. This tank has drains from the torpedo room, chain locker, and anchor engine room, and the air is foul, as the tank is inadquately vented. R. M. Traynor, plumber and fitter, was sent down to make an examination of the drains and suction valves and reported that the air was too foul for men to work in the tank.
After W. L. Campbell, coxswain in the first division, in charge of the working partery, consisting of P. J. Walsh, J. Paone, and L. L. Nerling, ordinary seamen, thought the tank sufficiently aired, he attempted to have it cleaned out, and Walsh went down to work in the tank. A hose had been let down into the tank from No. 1 handling room to wash out the tank, and this was now shut off by Nerling and Paone. Campbell endeavored to get Walsh out, but was not successful.
In the meantime Wilhelm Smith, gunner's mate, first class, in charge of the handling room, procured a rope, and, although he is a large man and could only with great difficulty squeeze himself through the manhole into A-12, went down into the tank and put the line around Walsh. He then came up and was overcome by the foul air and had to be hauled out unconscious. Both he and Walsh were taken to the sick bay and resuscitated with a pulmotor.
In doing this, Smith not only saved the life of Walsh, who could not have been resuscitated if he had been allowed to remain any longer, but he took a very great risk of not being able to get back himself through the manhole on account of his being stout. He weighs about 192 pounds and is short, and the manhole is a small one."
The Navy General Order then also quotes from the report of the New York 's commanding officer: "Peter J. Walsh, ordinary seaman, undoubtedly owes his life to the prompt and heroic action of Wilhelm Smith, gunner's mate, first class, who unhesitatingly risked his own in order save that of his shipmate. Such action is a shining example of fearlessness, unselfishness, and heroism, and merits the highest commendation and praise. It is recommended that the department award Smith a medal of honor..."
Timeline
- April 10, 1870Born in Germany
- January 24, 1916Act of valor — U.S.S. New YorkAge 45. U.S.S. New York
- October 30, 1925DiedAge 55.
- Resting placeCypress Hills National CemeteryBrooklyn, New York
Biography
Wilhelm Smith (April 10, 1870 – October 30, 1925) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.
From the Wikipedia article “Wilhelm Smith”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
