Serving as a sailor in the U.S. Navy, Commander William Kelly Harrison received the Medal of Honor for his actions on April 21, 1914 in Vera Cruz, Mexico during the 1914 Veracruz expedition. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Chester. Harrison was 43 years old.
40 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day.
Harrison was born on July 30, 1870 in Waco, McLennan County, Texas. His Medal of Honor is credited to Texas. Harrison died on August 15, 1928 in Washington, District of Columbia, at the age of 58. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
Harrison is one of 56 Medal of Honor recipients from the 1914 Veracruz expedition and one of 78 credited to Texas.
Official Medal of Honor citation
For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Vera Cruz, 21-22 April 1914. During this period, Comdr. Harrison 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 with telling effect at a critical time.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Banana Wars.
Life beyond the battlefield
- Education: United States Naval Academy
Source: Wikidata.
Places
Timeline
- July 30, 1870Born in Waco, McLennan County, Texas
- April 21, 1914Act of valor — Vera Cruz, MexicoAge 43. U.S.S. Chester
- August 15, 1928Died in Washington, District of ColumbiaAge 58.
- Resting placeArlington National CemeteryArlington, Virginia
Biography
William Kelly Harrison (July 30, 1870 – August 15, 1928) was born in Waco, Texas and died in San Diego, California. Harrison graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1889. He received the Medal of Honor for actions at the United States occupation of Veracruz, 1914. He is a relative of President William Henry Harrison (genealogical research indicates that while they might have a shared ancestry, both families being from Virginia, there is no evidence of a direct relation). His son, William Kelly Harrison Jr. graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1917 and retired from the United States Army as a lieutenant general.
From the Wikipedia article “William Kelly Harrison”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
