Serving as a sailor in the U.S. Navy, Landsman William James Creelman received the Medal of Honor for his actions on February 6, 1897 at Sea — a peacetime act of courage recognized in the Interim 1871 - 1899 period. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Maine. Creelman was 22 years old.
The medal was presented on February 18, 1897 — on board the U.S.S. Maine by Sec. of the Navy Hilary A. Herbert. He later rose to the rank of Chief Gunner.
Creelman was born on August 3, 1874 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. His Medal of Honor is credited to New York. Creelman died on March 24, 1928 in Brooklyn, New York, at the age of 53. He is buried at Calvary Cemetery in Woodside, New York.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Attached to the U.S.S. Maine, 6 February 1897. Distinguishing himself, Creelman showed extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession during an attempt to save life at sea.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New York →
Timeline
- August 3, 1874Born in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York
- February 6, 1897Act of valor — at SeaAge 22. U.S.S. Maine
- February 18, 1897Medal of Honor presentedOn board the U.S.S. Maine by Sec. of the Navy Hilary A. Herbert
- March 24, 1928Died in Brooklyn, New YorkAge 53.
- Resting placeCalvary CemeteryWoodside, New York
Biography
William James Creelman (August 3, 1874 – March 24, 1928) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor. He was awarded the medal for jumping overboard during an 1897 winter storm in an unsuccessful attempt to rescue a shipmate from drowning. Creelman went on to become a commissioned officer before leaving the Navy.
From the Wikipedia article “William J. Creelman”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
