Ahern, William - The National Medal of Honor Museum

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U.S. Navy

Ahern, William

ConflictNoncombat

Year of Action1897

Unit/CommandUSS Puritan

Citation

On board the USS Puritan at the time of the collapse of one of the crown sheets of boiler E of that vessel, 1 July 1897. Wrapped in wet cloths to protect his face and arms, Ahern entered the fireroom, crawled over the tops of the boilers and closed the auxiliary stop valve, disconnecting boiler E and removing the danger of disabling the other boilers.

Branch: U.S. Navy Conflict: Noncombat Year of Action: 1897