Henry Lakin Simpson

Rescued a drowning shipmate from the sea waters off Monrovia

Henry Simpson served as a fireman first class in the United States Navy. In 1877 he was aboard USS Essex during the ship's service on the African coast. His duties belonged to the engineering department that operated the steam-powered vessel.

On 31 October 1877, while Essex was at Monrovia, Liberia, Ordinary Seaman John W. Powers was in danger of drowning. Simpson helped rescue him. His conduct was recognised with the Medal of Honor, as was that of fellow rescuer John Millmore. The citation identifies the ship, the man rescued and the date and location of the rescue.

Simpson continued in naval service after the incident. The service history reconstructed from muster rolls places him aboard USS Yantic in New York in June 1884, when he deserted. The Medal of Honor was authorised later that year.

The rescue was a peacetime act of lifesaving rather than an action against an enemy. Simpson's recorded contribution was the immediate assistance given to a shipmate who otherwise might have drowned.