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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)

William Sweeney (Medal of Honor) — Victoria Cross

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Service Profile

Branch: U.S. Navy
Rank: Landsman
Medals Recorded: 1

William Sweeney (Medal of Honor)

Landsman, U.S. Navy

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Awards & Decorations

Medal of Honor 1862–1912 Navy

Ribbon Rack

Biography

He jumped into Norfolk water and saved a girl from drowning.

William Sweeney earned the Medal of Honor for saving a young girl at Norfolk, Virginia, on the night of June 15, 1880. A landsman in the engineer’s force aboard USS Jean Sands, he jumped overboard opposite the Navy Yard after the girl fell into the water. His official citation records his rescue of her from drowning.

Born in Boston in 1856, Sweeney’s service was accredited to Massachusetts. His Medal of Honor recognizes a lifesaving act performed during peacetime naval service.

Medal of Honor citation

For jumping overboard from the U.S.S. Jean Sands, opposite the Navy Yard, Norfolk, Va., on the night of 15 June 1880, and rescuing from drowning a young girl who had fallen overboard.

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