Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Stories of Sacrifice
Interim 1871 - 1899 - U.S. Navy
William Ahern
Details
- Also Known As: O'Hearn, William
- Rank: Watertender
- Conflict/Era: Interim 1871 - 1899
- Unit/Command:
U.S.S. Puritan - Military Service Branch: U.S. Navy
- Medal of Honor Action Date: July 1, 1897
- Medal of Honor Action Place: U.S.S. Puritan
Citation
On board the U.S.S. 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.
Additional Details
- Accredited to: New York
- Awarded Posthumously: No
- Born: 1861, Ireland
- Died:
- Buried: Holy Cross Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY, United States