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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Hospital Steward · U.S. Navy

William Sidney Shacklette

Hospital Steward William Sidney Shacklette, Navy, received the Medal of Honor for actions on July 21, 1905 at San Diego harbor on board U.S.S. Bennington, California (Interim 1899–1910).

Interim 1899 - 1910 July 21, 1905

Hospital Steward William Sidney Shacklette, a sailor in the U.S. Navy, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on July 21, 1905 at San Diego harbor on board U.S.S. Bennington, California — a peacetime act of courage recognized in the Interim 1899 - 1910 period. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Bennington. Shacklette was 25 years old.

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

Shacklette was born on May 17, 1880 in Delaplane, Fauquier County, Virginia. His Medal of Honor is credited to Virginia. Shacklette died on February 12, 1945, at the age of 64. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

★ Fire & Explosions at Sea

Official Medal of Honor citation

For extraordinary heroism while serving on the U.S.S. Bennington at the time of the explosion of a boiler of that vessel at San Diego, Cal., 21 July 1905.

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

Timeline

  1. May 17, 1880
    Born in Delaplane, Fauquier County, Virginia
  2. July 21, 1905
    Act of valor — San Diego harbor on board U.S.S. Bennington, California
    Age 25. U.S.S. Bennington
  3. February 12, 1945
    Died
    Age 64.
  4. Resting place
    Arlington National Cemetery
    Arlington, Virginia

Further reading

Also honored for actions on July 21, 1905

Edward William Boers Seaman · Navy Interim 1899–1910 · 1905 GB George F. Brock Carpenter's Mate Second Class · Navy Interim 1899–1910 · 1905 JC John Joseph Clausey Chief Gunner's Mate · Navy Interim 1899–1910 · 1905 WC William S. (Willie) Cronan Boatswain's Mate · Navy Interim 1899–1910 · 1905 RD Raymond Erwin Davis Quartermaster Third Class · Navy Interim 1899–1910 · 1905 EF Emil Fredericksen Watertender · Navy Interim 1899–1910 · 1905 RG Rade Grbitch Seaman · Navy Interim 1899–1910 · 1905 FH Frank Ebenezer Hill Ship's Cook First Class · Navy Interim 1899–1910 · 1905 Oscar Frederick Nelson Machinist's Mate First Class · Navy Interim 1899–1910 · 1905 Otto Diller Schmidt Seaman · Navy Interim 1899–1910 · 1905
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.