J. W. Norris

He rescued a drowning sailor at the New York naval shipyard.

J. W. Norris received the Medal of Honor for saving a man from drowning at the New York Navy Yard. Born in England in 1862, he served as a landsman in the U.S. Navy aboard USS Jamestown.

On December 20, 1883, A. A. George fell overboard. Norris rescued him from the water, an act recorded in his official Medal of Honor citation. The award recognized lifesaving service in a naval setting during peacetime.

Norris received the Medal of Honor during his lifetime. His citation preserves the memory of the rescue and the fellow sailor whose life he saved.

Official Medal of Honor citation

Serving on board the U.S.S. Jamestown, New York Navy Yard, 20 December 1883, Norris rescued from drowning A.A. George, who had fallen overboard.