William James Creelman

He braved a raging Atlantic storm to save a shipmate at sea.

William James Creelman earned the Medal of Honor by risking his life in the storm-tossed Atlantic on 6 February 1897. Serving as a landsman aboard the U.S. Navy battleship USS Maine, he voluntarily went overboard after shipmates were swept into heavy seas.

The ship was making passage toward Charleston, South Carolina, when a violent storm struck. Apprentice Second Class Leonard C. Kogel was washed overboard. Third Class Gunner's Mate Charles Hassel was swept into the sea while attempting to save him. Creelman entered the water to help Kogel, who could not be saved. Creelman and Hassel reached a lifebuoy and remained in the sea until Maine recovered them at approximately 9:25 a.m. Kogel, Seaman John Brown and Marine Private A. B. Nelson died in the storm. This was non-combat lifesaving heroism.

Creelman received the Medal of Honor aboard USS Maine on 18 February 1897, presented by Secretary of the Navy Hilary A. Herbert.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, on 3 August 1874, Creelman continued his naval career after the rescue. He became a warrant gunner in 1904 and subsequently served as a chief gunner. During World War I, he held a temporary commissioned appointment as lieutenant (junior grade), effective 1 January 1918. His later rank is distinct from his Medal of Honor action rank of landsman.

Creelman died in Brooklyn on 24 March 1928 and was buried in Calvary Cemetery, Woodside, New York.

Medal of Honor citation

Attached to the U.S.S. Maine, 6 February 1897. Distinguishing himself, Creelman showed extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession during an attempt to save life at sea.