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★Victoria Cross

A comprehensive archive of decorated military heroes from Commonwealth, American, and allied traditions, ranked by the Unified Scoring Matrix (USM-25). Honouring valour through history.

USM-25.2Scoring Standard

Scored under the Unified Scoring Matrix (USM-25)

George Willis (Medal of Honor) — Victoria Cross

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Service Profile

Branch: U.S. Navy
Rank: Coxswain
Medals Recorded: 1

George Willis (Medal of Honor)

Coxswain, U.S. Navy

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Awards & Decorations

Medal of Honor 1862–1912 Navy

Ribbon Rack

Biography

He braved an Arctic gale to save his own ship off Greenland.

George Willis was a coxswain aboard USS Tigress. His Medal of Honor recognized gallant and meritorious conduct off the coast of Greenland on the night of September 22, 1873.

Born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1839, Willis died in Worcester on October 12, 1884. He was buried at Oak Grove Cemetery in Medford, Massachusetts. His official citation records his distinguished conduct, while the Navy’s historical account identifies his work furling a loose sail during the gale.

Medal of Honor citation

Serving on board the U.S.S. Tigress, Willis displayed gallant and meritorious conduct on the night of 22 September 1873 off the coast of Greenland.

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