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★Victoria Cross

A comprehensive archive of decorated military heroes from Commonwealth, American, and allied traditions, ranked by the Unified Scoring Matrix (USM-25). Honouring valour through history.

USM-25.2Scoring Standard

Scored under the Unified Scoring Matrix (USM-25)

Wilhelm Smith — Victoria Cross

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Service Profile

Branch: U.S. Navy
Rank: Chief Gunner's Mate
Medals Recorded: 1

Wilhelm Smith

Chief Gunner's Mate, U.S. Navy

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Awards & Decorations

Medal of Honor

Ribbon Rack

Biography

Rescuing a shipmate from a gas-filled compartment

Wilhelm Smith served as a Navy gunner’s mate first class aboard USS New York. On 24 January 1916, he entered a compartment filled with gases and rescued a fellow sailor. His Medal of Honor recognized the courage of entering a hazardous enclosed space to save another member of the crew. The citation gives a concise account of that rescue without describing the source of the gases or further circumstances. His award preserves the record of an act of lifesaving service at sea.

Medal of Honor citation

On board the U.S.S. New York; for entering a compartment filled with gases and rescuing a shipmate on 24 January 1916.

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