William Bradford Stacy (March 4, 1838 – May 3, 1921) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.
William Bradford Stacy | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 4, 1838 Massachusetts, US |
| Died | May 3, 1921 (aged 83) |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | United States Navy |
| Rank | Seaman |
| Unit | USS Rhode Island |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
Biography
editA native of Massachusetts, Stacy joined the Navy from that state and by January 15, 1866, was serving as a seaman on the USS Rhode Island. On that day, while the Rhode Island was being resupplied in the harbor of Cap-Haïtien, Haiti, one of the crewman fell overboard. The sailor was able to grab onto a rope but, due to a strong current, eventually lost his strength and let go. Stacy then jumped into the water and rescued the man by tying the rope around his waist. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.[1]
Stacy's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
While coaling ship in the harbor of Cape Haiten, one of the crew of the Rhode Island fell overboard, and, after catching a rope, had been forced by exhaustion, to relinquish his hold. Although the sea was running high at the time, Stacy, at the peril of his life, jumped overboard, secured the rope around his shipmate, and thus saved him from drowning.[1]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ a b "Medal of Honor recipients - Interim Awards, 1866–1870". Medal of Honor citations. United States Army Center of Military History. August 3, 2009. Retrieved July 10, 2010.
External links
edit- "William B. Stacy". Hall of Valor. Military Times. Retrieved July 11, 2010.
- Beyer, Walter F.; Oscar Frederick Keydel (1906). Deeds of Valor: From Records in the Archives of the United States Government; how American Heroes Won the Medal of Honor; History of Our Recent Wars and Explorations, from Personal Reminiscences and Records of Officers and Enlisted Men who Were Rewarded by Congress for Most Conspicuous Acts of Bravery on the Battle-field, on the High Seas and in Arctic Explorations. Vol. 2. Detroit: Perrien-Keydel Company. p. 100.