Serving as a sailor in the U.S. Navy, Captain of the Top William Lowell Hill received the Medal of Honor for his actions on June 22, 1881 in Newport, Rhode Island — a peacetime act of courage recognized in the Interim 1871 - 1899 period. At the time he was serving with U.S. Training Ship Minnesota. Hill was 25 years old.
He later rose to the rank of Chief Boatswain's Mate.
Hill was born on October 12, 1855 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. His Medal of Honor is credited to New York. Hill died on August 2, 1922 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, at the age of 66. He is buried at Lindenwood Cemetery in Stoneham, Massachusetts.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Serving on board the U.S. training ship Minnesota at Newport, R.I., 22 June 1881, Hill jumped overboard and sustained William Mulcahy, third class boy, who had fallen overboard, until picked up by a steam launch.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
How he died
- Manner of death: suicide
- Age at death: 66
- Resting place: Lindenwood Cemetery
Cause and manner of death: Wikidata.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Spanish–American War.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New York →
Timeline
- October 12, 1855Born in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York
- June 22, 1881Act of valor — Newport, Rhode IslandAge 25. U.S. Training Ship Minnesota
- August 2, 1922Died in Portsmouth, New HampshireAge 66.
- Resting placeLindenwood CemeteryStoneham, Massachusetts
Biography
William Lowell Hill (October 17, 1855 – August 2, 1922) was a United States Navy officer and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor. He was awarded the medal as an enlisted sailor for rescuing a drowning shipmate in 1881. Hill went on to serve in the Spanish–American War and reached the warrant officer rank of chief boatswain. His lifelong Navy career finished with his command of two prison ships at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.
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