★

Loading archive…

★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)

William Meyer — Victoria Cross

< Back to Heroes

Service Profile

Branch: U.S. Navy
Rank: Carpenter's Mate Third Class
Service Era: Spanish-American War, Battle of Cienfuegos
Medals Recorded: 2

William Meyer

Carpenter's Mate Third Class, U.S. Navy

Support & adopt this hero ↓

Spanish-American WarBattle of Cienfuegos

Awards & Decorations

Medal of Honor
Spanish Campaign Medal

Ribbon Rack

Biography

Under Spanish fire, he helped cut Cienfuegos cables in 1898.

William Meyer earned the Medal of Honor during the Spanish-American War. As a Carpenter's Mate Third Class aboard USS Nashville, he joined the operation to sever submarine telegraph cables near Cienfuegos, Cuba, on 11 May 1898. Spanish fire struck the cable-cutting parties, and Meyer displayed the bravery and composure recognized in his citation.

His Medal of Honor was awarded under Navy General Order No. 521, dated 7 July 1899, and presented at the Charlestown Navy Yard in Massachusetts on 16 August 1899. Born in Germany on 22 June 1863, Meyer died in Chicago on 6 September 1926 and was buried at Forest Home Cemetery.

Medal of Honor citation

On board the U.S.S. Nashville during the operation of cutting the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, Meyer displayed extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this action.

Support & adopt

Become the named supporter for this profile and edit the tribute biography and portrait (Owner account required). Proceeds help keep the archive online.

$25 USD / year — annual sponsorship renewal. Keeps the page online and, where enabled, the family anniversary remembrance emails active.