Henry A. Eilers

He stamped out burning powder inside a warship magazine room

Henry A. Eilers was born on August 11, 1870, in Newark, New Jersey. He served as a gunner's mate in the United States Navy aboard USS Philadelphia.

On September 17, 1892, during a simulated attack on Fort McHenry in Baltimore, a cartridge exploded prematurely. Burning particles traveled down a chute into the ship's magazine. Eilers remained at his post and stamped them out. His Medal of Honor citation recognized his courage during the dangerous ammunition emergency.

Eilers received the Medal of Honor and attained the rank of gunner. He died on June 30, 1901, and is buried at the private Cypress Hills Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York. His award commemorates a swift response to burning material in a warship's magazine.

Medal of Honor Citation

On board the U.S.S. Philadelphia during the sham attack on Fort McHenry, Baltimore, Md., 17 September 1892. Displaying extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession on this occasion, Eilers remained at his post in the magazine and stamped out the burning particles of a prematurely exploded cartridge which had blown down the chute.