Chief Machinist's Mate William Badders was a sailor in the U.S. Navy who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on May 23, 1939 in Portsmouth, southeast off the Isle of Shoals, New Hampshire — a peacetime act of courage recognized in the Interim 1920 - 1940 period. At the time he was serving with Submarine Rescue & Salvage Unit, U.S.S. Falcon. Badders was 38 years old.
3 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on January 19, 1940. Washington, D.C., presented by Sec. of the Navy Charles Edison.
Badders was born on September 15, 1900 in Harrisburg, Saline County, Illinois. His Medal of Honor is credited to Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana. Badders died on November 23, 1986 in Livermore, California, at the age of 86. He is buried at San Francisco National Cemetery in San Francisco, California.
Official Medal of Honor citation
For extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession during the rescue and salvage operations following the sinking of the U.S.S. Squalus on 23 May 1939. During the rescue operations, Badders, as senior member of the rescue chamber crew, made the last extremely hazardous trip of the rescue chamber to attempt to rescue any possible survivors in the flooded afterportion of the Squalus. He was fully aware of the great danger involved in that if he and his assistant became incapacitated, there was no way in which either could be rescued. During the salvage operations, Badders made important and difficult dives under the most hazardous conditions. His outstanding performance of duty contributed much to the success of the operations and characterizes conduct far above and beyond the ordinary call of duty.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War I.
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Timeline
- September 15, 1900Born in Harrisburg, Saline County, Illinois
- May 23, 1939Act of valor — Portsmouth, southeast off the Isle of Shoals, New HampshireAge 38. Submarine Rescue & Salvage Unit, U.S.S. Falcon
- January 19, 1940Medal of Honor presentedWashington, D.C., presented by Sec. of the Navy Charles Edison
- November 23, 1986Died in Livermore, CaliforniaAge 86.
- Resting placeSan Francisco National CemeterySan Francisco, California
Biography
William Badders (September 15, 1901 – November 23, 1986) was a diver in the United States Navy and a recipient of the highest American military decoration, the Medal of Honor, as well as the Navy Cross.
From the Wikipedia article “William Badders”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
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