No doubt it was a rather embarrassing General Order to issue, but the Assistant Secretary of the Navy did it anyway back in October of 1884.
The first three awards in the GO went to sailors rescuing mates who had fallen overboard about three months earlier.
But then the announcement went on to list over 40 heroes who had been awarded the nations highest of bravery awards, but as noted, the department never issued a General Order to tell the sailor and the world of his deed and the President's directive to present the sailor with the Medal of Honor.
Over the history of the medal well over 130 have been awarded in the saving... or attempting to save mates who had fallen overboard, be they at dockside or at high seas.
Some of the medals in the above order went for the saving of civilian labourers on-board vessels doing repairs and had lost their footing and gone over. One went to a sailor who was under guard, and jumped ship before realizing perhaps that he could not swim. Another went for saving a sailor who was actually trying to commit suicide. Several went for saving the lives of youngsters, under-aged and called... boys... who were serving in some minor capacity on-board the warships.
Several of the medals came to Canadians. Some to others with connections to Canada.
A few of the names will be familiar to those who regularly visit this site. Using the search engine herein will provide a review for most welcome newcomers.
The first three awards in the GO went to sailors rescuing mates who had fallen overboard about three months earlier.
But then the announcement went on to list over 40 heroes who had been awarded the nations highest of bravery awards, but as noted, the department never issued a General Order to tell the sailor and the world of his deed and the President's directive to present the sailor with the Medal of Honor.
Over the history of the medal well over 130 have been awarded in the saving... or attempting to save mates who had fallen overboard, be they at dockside or at high seas.
Some of the medals in the above order went for the saving of civilian labourers on-board vessels doing repairs and had lost their footing and gone over. One went to a sailor who was under guard, and jumped ship before realizing perhaps that he could not swim. Another went for saving a sailor who was actually trying to commit suicide. Several went for saving the lives of youngsters, under-aged and called... boys... who were serving in some minor capacity on-board the warships.
Several of the medals came to Canadians. Some to others with connections to Canada.
A few of the names will be familiar to those who regularly visit this site. Using the search engine herein will provide a review for most welcome newcomers.
History has yet to reveal just where in Canada that Henry Williams came from. But it does evidence his service on board one of America's most famous war ships, the 1797 built USS Constitution. It apparently took 60 acres of trees to build and the copper nails holding her together were forged by a fellow who's name you might recall... Paul Revere. (Search site for his Halifax connections)
The ship was sent off carrying exhibits for the Paris Exposition of 1878. On its return it got caught up in a deadly Gale and had major rudder damage that required repair at sea. This was very dangerous because of the wave action against the rudder whilst repairs were going on. As you can see from the above entry, Williams was one of the three awarded the Medal of honor for risking their lives to repair the damage.
The ship was sent off carrying exhibits for the Paris Exposition of 1878. On its return it got caught up in a deadly Gale and had major rudder damage that required repair at sea. This was very dangerous because of the wave action against the rudder whilst repairs were going on. As you can see from the above entry, Williams was one of the three awarded the Medal of honor for risking their lives to repair the damage.
It is possible, but yet to be confirmed, that the sailor rescued in the above notice... John W Powers... may well be the same Powers who was serving on the USS Plymouth whilst at Halifax harbour in 1876. If so, he became the rescuer in Nova Scotia when he and another sailor rescued a civilian who was drowning.
The above MOH and one other medal are the only medals in the entire history of the Medal of Honor to have the name Halifax on them and as such, are very rare indeed. The story is oft mentioned at this site.
The above MOH and one other medal are the only medals in the entire history of the Medal of Honor to have the name Halifax on them and as such, are very rare indeed. The story is oft mentioned at this site.
George Low from Port Hope Ontario is often referred to as George Evatt on web sites. His names given at birth were George Low Evatt.
Robert Sweeney was a coloured man and thought to be from Montreal for decades, but has since been shown to actually have been born on the Caribean Island of Montserrat. He was one of the 21 Medal of Honor men who actually was awarded with two medals. Most sites incorrectly claim that there were only 19 doubles. This has been oft mentioned in this space.
Most websites tell that Phillip Moore was born in Newfoundland, but don't say where. I have just uncovered 180 pages of his history and therein his birthplace is well documented as being at St John's in that province.
I plan on bringing you his story next Sunday.
Researchers interested in any of these names probably consulted the papers of the day in the hopes of getting some details, but now you can see, part of the frustration in this work, is the inconsistency in government documentation, and same in a timely fashion.
Robert Sweeney was a coloured man and thought to be from Montreal for decades, but has since been shown to actually have been born on the Caribean Island of Montserrat. He was one of the 21 Medal of Honor men who actually was awarded with two medals. Most sites incorrectly claim that there were only 19 doubles. This has been oft mentioned in this space.
Most websites tell that Phillip Moore was born in Newfoundland, but don't say where. I have just uncovered 180 pages of his history and therein his birthplace is well documented as being at St John's in that province.
I plan on bringing you his story next Sunday.
Researchers interested in any of these names probably consulted the papers of the day in the hopes of getting some details, but now you can see, part of the frustration in this work, is the inconsistency in government documentation, and same in a timely fashion.
Switching now to another topic, I did not see any news items in the press yet about the fact that on Jan 29th, it was the 160th anniversary of the creation of the Victoria Cross, pictured above. To its right is the new Canadian version, unveiled for the first time to the public on 16 may 2008. None have yet to be awarded.
The first ever presentation of the VC took place at London in 1857. Blogs here have brought you that story and noted that within the first two dozen ever to be presented with the VC was Toronto's Alexander Dunn. HRH Queen Victoria made the presentations personally.
More than 100 have come home to Canadians and those with connections to our country.
The first ever presentation of the VC took place at London in 1857. Blogs here have brought you that story and noted that within the first two dozen ever to be presented with the VC was Toronto's Alexander Dunn. HRH Queen Victoria made the presentations personally.
More than 100 have come home to Canadians and those with connections to our country.
On the 100th anniversary over 300 VC recipients gathered at London's Hyde Park. This picture is rare and a keepsake for all Canada as it shows 25 of out brave men. Not often did that many of our VC men gather shoulder to shoulder for such a photo op.
And on a final note, A few months back I received this cute story. Not sure it is genuine, but it will make for great story telling anyway... enjoy.
It was supposed to take place in Saskatchewan, and at a school with plenty of disruptive children. The teacher was a battle scarred soldier who stood for no nonsence, and...
And on a final note, A few months back I received this cute story. Not sure it is genuine, but it will make for great story telling anyway... enjoy.
It was supposed to take place in Saskatchewan, and at a school with plenty of disruptive children. The teacher was a battle scarred soldier who stood for no nonsence, and...
Back on Sunday...
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