
Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Stories of Sacrifice
Interim 1920 - 1940 - U.S. Navy
William Badders
- Rank: Chief Machinist's Mate
- Conflict/Era: Interim 1920 - 1940
- Unit/Command:
Submarine Rescue & Salvage Unit,
U.S.S. Falcon - Military Service Branch: U.S. Navy
- Medal of Honor Action Date: May 23, 1939
- Medal of Honor Action Place: Portsmouth, southeast off the Isle of Shoals, New Hampshire, USA
For extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession during the rescue and salvage operations following the sinking of the U.S.S. Squalus on 23 May 1939. During the rescue operations, Badders, as senior member of the rescue chamber crew, made the last extremely hazardous trip of the rescue chamber to attempt to rescue any possible survivors in the flooded afterportion of the Squalus. He was fully aware of the great danger involved in that if he and his assistant became incapacitated, there was no way in which either could be rescued. During the salvage operations, Badders made important and difficult dives under the most hazardous conditions. His outstanding performance of duty contributed much to the success of the operations and characterizes conduct far above and beyond the ordinary call of duty.

- Accredited to: Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana
- Awarded Posthumously: No
- Presentation Date & Details: January 19, 1940
Washington, D.C., presented by Sec. of the Navy Charles Edison
- Born: September 15, 1900, Harrisburg, Saline County, IL, United States
- Died: November 23, 1986, Livermore, CA, United States
- Buried: San Francisco National Cemetery (MH) (A-788A), San Francisco, CA, United States