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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
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Online Library of Selected Images:
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Carpenter's Mate Third Class William Meyer, USN, (1863-1926)

William Meyer was born on 22 June 1863 in Germany. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy from the State of Illinois and served in the Spanish-American War as a crew member of the gunboat Nashville. On 11 May 1898 he was one of several men who took part in a boat expedition that cut the underwater telegraph cable off Cienfuegos, Cuba. For his "extraordinary bravery and coolness" under enemy fire during this operation, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. William Meyer died on 6 September 1926 at Chicago, Illinois.

This page features the only images we have concerning William Meyer.

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: NH 79950 Carpenter's Mate Third Class William Meyer, USN Halftone reproduction of a photograph, published in "Deeds of Valor," Volume II, page 359, by the Perrien-Keydel Company, Detroit, 1907. William Meyer received the Medal of Honor for his "extraordinary bravery and coolness" during the 11 May 1898 cable cutting operation off Cienfuegos, Cuba. He was then serving in USS Nashville (Gunboat # 7). U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 55KB; 550 x 765 pixels
Photo #: NH 79949 Cienfuegos Cable-Cutting Operation, 11 May 1898 Halftone reproduction of an artwork, published in "Deeds of Valor," Volume II, page 358, by the Perrien-Keydel Company, Detroit, 1907. It depicts boats from USS Nashville (Gunboat # 7) and USS Marblehead (Cruiser # 11) cutting underwater telegraph cables off Cienfuegos, Cuba, while under intense Spanish gunfire. Their ships are shown in the background, returning fire, with Nashville on the right and Marblehead at left. The Medal of Honor was liberally awarded to those who participated in this operation. US Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 76KB; 590 x 765 pixels
Photo #: NH 79952 USS Nashville (Gunboat # 7) Halftone reproduction of a photograph, published in "Deeds of Valor," Volume II, page 361, by the Perrien-Keydel Company, Detroit, 1907. The image shows crew members who participated in the cable cutting operation at Cienfuegos, Cuba, on 11 May 1898. They are posed in one of the ship's launches, after the ship had been repainted in peacetime colors following the end of the Spanish-American War. The Medal of Honor was liberally awarded to those who took part in this operation. US Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 87KB; 740 x 615 pixels

Medal of Honor citation of Carpenter's Mate Third Class William Meyer (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 77): "On board the U.S.S. Nashville during the operation of cutting the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, MEYER displayed extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this action."

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Page made 24 March 2006