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William Anderson (Medal of Honor)

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William Anderson
Bornc. 1852
Sweden
DiedMarch 11, 1908(1908-03-11) (aged 55–56) [1]
Brooklyn, New York
Place of burial
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service / branchUnited States Navy
RankCoxswain
UnitUSS Powhatan
AwardsMedal of Honor

William Anderson (c. 1852–1908) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.

Biography

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Born in about 1852 in Sweden, Anderson migrated to the United States and joined the Navy from New York. By June 28, 1878, he was serving as a coxswain on the USS Powhatan. On that day, he rescued First Class Boy W. H. Moffatt from drowning, for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor.[2]

Anderson's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

On board the U.S.S. Powhatan, 28 June 1878. Acting courageously, Anderson rescued from drowning W. H. Moffatt, first class boy.[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b List of peace time Medal of Honors recipients (1871-1898) at the Division of Military and Naval Affairs history site
  2. ^ a b "Medal of Honor recipients - Interim Awards, 1871–1898". Medal of Honor citations. United States Army Center of Military History. August 5, 2010. Retrieved August 23, 2010.
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