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Commander · U.S. Navy

William Adger Moffett

Commander William Adger Moffett, Navy, received the Medal of Honor for actions on April 21, 1914 in Vera Cruz, Mexico during the 1914 Veracruz expedition.

Mexican Campaign (Vera Cruz) April 21, 1914

Commander William Adger Moffett, a sailor in the U.S. Navy, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on April 21, 1914 in Vera Cruz, Mexico during the 1914 Veracruz expedition. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Chester. Moffett was 44 years old.

40 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. He later rose to the rank of Rear Admiral.

Moffett was born on October 31, 1869 in Charleston, Charleston County, South Carolina. Moffett died on April 4, 1933, at the age of 63. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. His medal is held by National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola Naval Air Station, Pensacola, FL.

Moffett is one of 56 Medal of Honor recipients from the 1914 Veracruz expedition and one of 33 credited to South Carolina.

★ Aviators & Aircrew

Official Medal of Honor citation

For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Vera Cruz, 21-22 April 1914. Comdr. Moffett brought his ship into the inner harbor during the nights of the 21st and 22d without the assistance of a pilot or navigational lights, and was in a position on the morning of the 22d to use his guns at a critical time with telling effect. His skill in mooring his ship at night was especially noticeable. He placed her nearest to the enemy and did most of the firing and received most of the hits.

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

How he died

Cause and manner of death: Wikidata.

Other decorations and honors

Besides the Medal of Honor, William Adger Moffett received:

National Aviation Hall of Fame

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

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: Spanish–American War.

Life beyond the battlefield

Source: Wikidata.

Places

  • Born: Charleston — map
  • Died: New Jersey — map
  • Buried: Arlington National Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in South Carolina →

Timeline

  1. October 31, 1869
    Born in Charleston, Charleston County, South Carolina
  2. April 21, 1914
    Act of valor — Vera Cruz, Mexico
    Age 44. U.S.S. Chester
  3. April 4, 1933
    Died
    Age 63.
  4. Resting place
    Arlington National Cemetery
    Arlington, Virginia

Biography

William Adger Moffett (31 October 1869 – 4 April 1933) was an American admiral and Medal of Honor recipient known as the architect of naval aviation in the United States Navy.

From the Wikipedia article “William A. Moffett”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Named in his honor

Also honored for actions on April 21, 1914

OB Oscar Charles Badger Ensign · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 HB Harry C. Beasley Seaman · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Randolph Carter Berkeley Major · Marine Corps Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Charles Francis Bishop Quartermaster Second Class · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 GB George Bradley Chief Gunner's Mate · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Allen Buchanan Lieutenant Commander · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Guy Wilkinson stuart Castle Lieutenant · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 George McCall Courts Lieutenant, j.g. · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 GC George Cregan Coxswain · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 PD Percy A. Decker Boatswain's Mate Second Class · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Abraham Desomer Lieutenant · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 ND Niels Drustrup Lieutenant · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914

See all 41 recipients for April 21, 1914 →

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.