Tedford H. Cann

He entered the flooded hold and saved his ship from sinking.

Tedford Harris Cann combined an exceptional sporting career with naval service that depended on precisely the skill for which he was famous: swimming. Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, in the late 1890s, he grew up in an athletic family. His father worked in physical education, and his brother Howard also became a prominent sportsman. Cann competed for the New York Athletic Club and trained under the celebrated swimming coach Matt Mann. Before the United States entered the First World War, he had already defeated the great Hawaiian swimmer Duke Kahanamoku.

Cann joined the Naval Reserve during the war and served as a seaman aboard USS May, a yacht converted into a patrol vessel. On 5 November 1917, while the ship was in the Atlantic, water entered a compartment and threatened its survival. Cann went into the flooded space, found the opening and worked to close it. He repeatedly worked to plug the leak with improvised material until the pumps could gain control.

His work earned the Medal of Honor for saving the ship at the risk of his life.

In April 1918 Cann became an ensign. He continued in May before moving to USS Noma and left naval service after the war. Returning to sport, he won national freestyle championships and set a world record over 220 yards. A taxi accident then shattered his leg, forcing him onto crutches and preventing the anticipated culmination of his swimming career at the 1920 Olympics. He adapted by playing water polo and remained involved with strong New York Athletic Club teams.

Cann died at Port Chester, New York, on 26 January 1963 and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. His medal later became part of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's collection, linking his sporting achievements with the night when swimming ability helped keep a warship afloat.

Medal of Honor citation

For courageous conduct while serving on board the U.S.S. May, 5 November 1917. Cann found a leak in a flooded compartment and closed it at the peril of his life, thereby unquestionably saving the ship.