Serving as a sailor in the U.S. Navy, Coxswain William Halford received the Medal of Honor for his actions in October 1870 in Pacific Ocean — a peacetime act of courage recognized in the Interim 1865 - 1870 period. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Saginaw. Halford was about 29 years old.
He later rose to the rank of Lieutenant.
Halford was born on August 18, 1841 in Gloucester, England — one of 98 recipients born in England. His Medal of Honor is credited to San Francisco, San Francisco County, California. Halford died on February 17, 1919 in Vallejo, California, at the age of 77. He is buried at Mare Island Shipyard Cemetery in Vallejo, California.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Halford was sole survivor of the boat's crew sent to the Sandwich Islands for assistance after the wreck of the Saginaw, October 1870. Promoted to acting gunner.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in California →
Timeline
- August 18, 1841Born in Gloucester, England
- October 1870Act of valor — Pacific OceanAge about 29. U.S.S. Saginaw
- February 17, 1919Died in Vallejo, CaliforniaAge 77.
- Resting placeMare Island Shipyard CemeteryVallejo, California
Biography
William Halford (August 18, 1841 – February 7, 1919) was a sailor, and later an officer, in the United States Navy. He also received the Medal of Honor.
From the Wikipedia article “William Halford”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →