William Sweeney (Medal of Honor)

Last updated
William Sweeney
US Navy Medal of Honor (1862 original).png
Navy Medal of Honor
Born1856
Boston, Massachusetts
Allegiance United States
Service/branch United States Navy
Rank Landsman
Unit USS Jean Sands
Awards Medal of Honor

William Sweeney (born 1856, date of death unknown) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.

Contents

Born in 1856 in Boston, Massachusetts, Sweeney joined the Navy from that state. By June 15, 1880, he was serving as a landsman in the engineering department of the USS Jean Sands. On that night, while Jean Sands was outside the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, he and another sailor, Landsman James F. O'Conner, jumped overboard and rescued a young girl from drowning. For this action, both Sweeney and O'Conner were awarded the Medal of Honor four years later, on October 18, 1884. [1]

Sweeney's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

For jumping overboard from the U.S.S. Jean Sands, opposite the Navy Yard, Norfolk, Va., on the night of 15 June 1880, and rescuing from drowning a young girl who had fallen overboard. [1]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ludwig Andreas Olsen</span>

Ludwig Andreas Olsen, also known as Louis Williams, was a United States Navy sailor and one of only 19 people to ever be awarded two Medals of Honor. Both awards were for non-combat actions rescuing fellow seamen.

Albert Weisbogel was a 19th-century United States Navy sailor. He was twice awarded America's highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor, for peacetime actions. He is one of only 19 people to be awarded two Medals of Honor, and one of only 14 to be awarded the Medal twice for two separate actions.

John Smith was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of America's highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor.

Paul Tobin was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Holt (Medal of Honor)</span> American peacetime Medal of Honor recipient (1840 – ?)

George Holt was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.

George W. Cutter was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.

James Benson was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.

Alexander Bradley, also known as Neil Bonner, was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Handran</span>

John Handran (1852-1885) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.

Edward Maddin was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.

Richard Ryan (1851–1933) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.

Walter Elmore was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James F. O'Conner</span> US Navy sailor and Medal of Honor recipient (1861–1940)

James Francis O'Conner was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.

William Morse was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.

Philip Moore (1853–1902) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.

Michael Thornton (1856–??) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Henry C. Courtney</span>

Henry C. Courtney was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.

J. W. Norris was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Enright</span>

John Enright was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.

Joseph H. Davis was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.

References

  1. 1 2 "Medal of Honor recipients - Interim Awards, 1871–1898". Medal of Honor citations. United States Army Center of Military History. August 5, 2010. Retrieved August 27, 2010.