William Kelly Harrison

At Veracruz, a naval commander steered into battle at night.

William Kelly Harrison was born in Waco, Texas, on 30 July 1870. He entered the United States Naval Academy in 1885, graduated in 1889, and became an ensign in 1891. Appointed lieutenant on 3 March 1899, he attained the rank of commander in 1911.

Harrison commanded USS San Francisco from December 1912 to December 1914. During the American occupation of Veracruz on 21 and 22 April 1914, he brought his ship into the inner harbour at night without a pilot or navigational lights, positioning its guns to support American forces at a critical moment. The Navy's history places him in command of San Francisco at Veracruz; some recipient references instead identify USS Chester as the vessel in his Medal of Honor action. The original citation does not name a ship, so the citation-vessel discrepancy remains open pending an action report or deck log.

For his distinguished conduct at Veracruz, Harrison received the Navy Medal of Honor under General Order No. 177 of 4 December 1915. His service in the Mexican campaign also qualified him for the Mexican Service Medal. He retired from the Navy on 29 September 1916 and died on 15 August 1928.

Medal of Honor citation For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Vera Cruz, 21-22 April 1914. During this period, Comdr. Harrison brought his ship into the inner harbor during the nights of the 21st and 22d without the assistance of a pilot or navigational lights, and was in a position on the morning of the 22d to use his guns with telling effect at a critical time.