William Spicer (Medal of Honor)

Clearing contact mines from the Guantanamo approaches

William Spicer earned the Medal of Honor for mine-clearing work in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, on July 26 and 27, 1898. A gunner’s mate first class aboard USS Marblehead, he helped sweep for and disable 27 contact mines in the approaches to Caimanera during the Spanish-American War.

His citation recognizes the danger of the work and the heroism he displayed. Spicer later attained the rank of chief gunner’s mate.

Born in Liverpool, England, on May 28, 1864, he died in Long Beach, California, on December 14, 1949. He was buried at Mount Hope Cemetery in Mattapan, Massachusetts.

Medal of Honor citation

On board the U.S.S. Marblehead at the approaches to Caimanera, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, 26 and 27 July 1898. Displaying heroism, Spicer took part in the perilous work of sweeping for and disabling 27 contact mines during this period.