Serving as a sailor in the U.S. Navy, Machinist First Class William Hart received the Medal of Honor for his actions on May 11, 1898 in Cienfuegos, Cuba during the Spanish-American War. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Marblehead. Hart was 31 years old.
54 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day.
Hart was born on June 9, 1866 in Massachusetts. Hart died on February 6, 1899, at the age of 32. He is buried at The Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York. His medal is held by National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC.
Hart is one of 110 Medal of Honor recipients from the Spanish-American War and one of 265 credited to Massachusetts.
Official Medal of Honor citation
On board the U.S.S. Marblehead during the operation of cutting the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, Hart set an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this action.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Spanish–American War.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Massachusetts →
Timeline
- June 9, 1866Born in Massachusetts
- May 11, 1898Act of valor — Cienfuegos, CubaAge 31. U.S.S. Marblehead
- February 6, 1899DiedAge 32.
- Resting placeThe Green-Wood CemeteryBrooklyn, New York
Biography
William Hart (June 9, 1866 – February 6, 1899) was a machinist first class serving in the United States Navy during the Spanish–American War who received the Medal of Honor for bravery.
From the Wikipedia article “William Hart (Medal of Honor)”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →


