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Carpenter's Mate Third Class · U.S. Navy

William Meyer

Carpenter's Mate Third Class William Meyer, 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, 1898Born in Germany

Carpenter's Mate Third Class William Meyer was a sailor in the U.S. Navy who 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. Nashville. Meyer was 34 years old.

54 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on August 16, 1899 — presented by Commander Raymond P. Rodgers of the USS Nashville at the Charlestown, MA, Navy Yard. He later rose to the rank of Carpenter Third Class.

Meyer was born on June 22, 1863 in Germany — one of 130 recipients born in Germany. His Medal of Honor is credited to Illinois. Meyer died on September 6, 1926 in Chicago, Illinois, at the age of 63. He is buried at Forest Home Cemetery in Chicago, Illinois.

Meyer is one of 110 Medal of Honor recipients from the Spanish-American War and one of 210 credited to Illinois.

Official Medal of Honor citation

On board the U.S.S. Nashville during the operation of cutting the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, Meyer displayed extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this action.

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

Battles and campaigns

1898 · Spanish-American War

Battle of Cienfuegos

Result: Spanish victory

4 Medal of Honor recipients

Also served in: Spanish–American War.

Places

  • Born: Germany — map
  • Died: Chicago — map
  • Buried: Forest Home Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Illinois →

Timeline

  1. June 22, 1863
    Born in Germany
  2. May 11, 1898
    Act of valor — Cienfuegos, Cuba
    Age 34. U.S.S. Nashville
  3. August 16, 1899
    Medal of Honor presented
    Presented by Commander Raymond P. Rodgers of the USS Nashville at the Charlestown, MA, Navy Yard.
  4. September 6, 1926
    Died in Chicago, Illinois
    Age 63.
  5. Resting place
    Forest Home Cemetery
    Chicago, Illinois

Biography

William Meyer (June 22, 1863 – September 6, 1926) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Battle of Cienfuegos during the Spanish–American War. William Meyer died at the age of 63 and was buried in Forest Home Cemetery, Chicago.

From the Wikipedia article “William Meyer (Medal of Honor)”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

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 →

More Spanish-American War recipients from Illinois

JH James Lott Hull 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, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.