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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Apprentice First Class · U.S. Navy

William Levery

Apprentice First Class William Levery, Navy, received the Medal of Honor for actions on May 11, 1898 in Cienfuegos, Cuba during the Spanish-American War.

Spanish-American War May 11, 1898

Apprentice First Class William Levery, a sailor in the U.S. Navy, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on May 11, 1898 in Cienfuegos, Cuba during the Spanish-American War. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Marblehead. Levery was 18 years old.

54 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day.

Levery was born on June 30, 1879 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. His Medal of Honor is credited to Pennsylvania. His medal is held by Naval Historical Center, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, DC.

Levery is one of 110 Medal of Honor recipients from the Spanish-American War and one of 380 credited to Pennsylvania.

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 1989. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, Levery displayed extraordinary bravery and coolness thoughout this action.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Timeline

  1. June 30, 1879
    Born in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
  2. May 11, 1898
    Act of valor — Cienfuegos, Cuba
    Age 18. U.S.S. Marblehead

Also honored for actions on May 11, 1898

Benjamin F. Baker Coxswain · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 DB David Duffy Barrow Seaman · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 JB James Harvey Bennett Chief Boatswain's Mate · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 AB Albert Beyer Coxswain · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 RB Robert Blume Seaman · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 GB George F. Brady Chief Gunner's Mate · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 GB George Washington Bright Coal Passer · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 DC Daniel J. Campbell Private · Marine Corps Spanish-American War · 1898 JC Joseph Edward Carter Blacksmith · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 LC Leonard B. Chadwick Apprentice First Class · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 TC Thomas C. Cooney Chief Machinist · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 John Davis Gunner's Mate Third Class · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898

See all 55 recipients for May 11, 1898 →

Same unit

WF William Farley Boatswain's Mate · Navy Civil War · 1863 WM William Henry Morin Boatswain's Mate Second Class · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 WS William Spicer Gunner's Mate First Class · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 AS Axel Leohard Sundquist Chief Carpenter's Mate · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 ST Samuel S. Triplett Ordinary Seaman · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898

More Spanish-American War recipients from Pennsylvania

Fitz Lee Private · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 JD John Francis Deswan Private · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 WC William Adolphus Crouse Watertender · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 NR Norman W. Ressler Corporal · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 UB Ulysses G. Buzzard Private · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 GM George Mahoney Fireman First Class · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.