Louis Williams

Louis Williams

Twice Awarded the Medal of Honor

Louis Williams, born Ludwig Andreas Olsen in Norway, was one of the most unusual heroes in United States naval history. Serving aboard USS Lackawanna as a Captain of the Hold, he became one of only nineteen men ever awarded the Medal of Honor twice.

Unlike most Medal of Honor recipients, Williams did not earn his decorations in battle. His heroism came through acts of selfless courage that saved the lives of fellow sailors in moments of mortal danger.

The first act occurred on 16 March 1883 while USS Lackawanna was at Honolulu, Hawaii. A sailor named Thomas Moran fell into the water and was in immediate danger of drowning. Without hesitation, Williams plunged into the sea and successfully rescued him. For this act of extraordinary bravery, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.

His official citation reads:

“Serving on board the U.S.S. Lackawanna at Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, 16 March 1883. Rescued from drowning Thomas Moran, landsman.”

Remarkably, little more than a year later Williams would again demonstrate the same fearless devotion to others.

On 13 June 1884, while USS Lackawanna was anchored at Callao, Peru, another sailor, William Cruise, fell overboard. Once again Williams immediately risked his own life in a rescue attempt. Acting with courage and determination, he saved Cruise from drowning.

For this second lifesaving rescue, he received a second Medal of Honor.

His second citation states:

“Serving on board the U.S.S. Lackawanna at Callao, Peru, 13 June 1884. Rescued from drowning William Cruise.”

These acts of heroism placed Louis Williams among the most exclusive group of Medal of Honor recipients in American history. His two awards were earned not through combat, but through repeated acts of courage and self-sacrifice in the service of his fellow sailors. At a time when the sea could be as deadly as any battlefield, Williams repeatedly placed another person’s life ahead of his own safety.

Williams continued his naval service aboard USS Lackawanna and held the respected rating of Captain of the Hold, a senior enlisted position responsible for the management and security of the ship’s stores and provisions. His grave marker records the distinction that defined his life: “2 Medals of Honor, Captain of the Hold, U.S. Navy, USS Lackawanna.”

Louis Williams died on 20 February 1886. Though his life was relatively short, his legacy endures through two Medal of Honor citations that testify to a sailor whose instinct was always to act when another life was in danger. His story remains a powerful reminder that heroism is measured not only on the battlefield, but wherever courage, sacrifice, and devotion to others are found.