Watertender William Adolphus Crouse, a sailor in the U.S. Navy, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on May 21, 1898 off Cavite, Manila Bay, Luzon during the Spanish-American War. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Concord. Crouse was 31 years old.
2 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. He later rose to the rank of Chief Commissary Steward.
Crouse was born on October 22, 1866 in Fannettsburg, Franklin County, Pennsylvania. His Medal of Honor is credited to Pennsylvania. Crouse died on June 27, 1941 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, at the age of 74. He is buried at Arlington Cemetery in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania.
Crouse is one of 110 Medal of Honor recipients from the Spanish-American War and one of 380 credited to Pennsylvania.
Official Medal of Honor citation
On board the U.S.S. Concord off Cavite, Manila Bay, P.I., 21 May 1898. Following the blowing-out of a lower manhole plate joint on boiler B of that vessel, Crouse hauled the fires in the hot, vapor-filled atmosphere, which necessitated the playing of water into the fireroom from a hose.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- October 22, 1866Born in Fannettsburg, Franklin County, Pennsylvania
- May 21, 1898Act of valor — off Cavite, Manila Bay, LuzonAge 31. U.S.S. Concord
- June 27, 1941Died in Harrisburg, PennsylvaniaAge 74.
- Resting placeArlington CemeteryDrexel Hill, Pennsylvania
