William Adolphus Crouse
Encyclopedia
William Adolphus Crouse (October 22, 1866, Fannettsburg, Pennsylvania – June 27, 1941) was an American Medal of Honor
recipient. He served in the US Navy during the Spanish-American War
as a watertender
aboard the . He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery off Cavite, Manila Bay in the Philippine Islands, May 21, 1898. He was awarded his Medal on December 14, 1898.
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
recipient. He served in the US Navy during the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
as a watertender
Watertender
A watertender is a crewman aboard a steam-powered ship who is responsible for tending to the fires and boilers in the ship's engine room.In the United States Navy, "watertender" was a petty officer rating which existed from 1884 to 1948. Watertenders held a paygrade equivalent to today's petty...
aboard the . He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery off Cavite, Manila Bay in the Philippine Islands, May 21, 1898. He was awarded his Medal on December 14, 1898.
Medal of Honor citation
Following the blowout of a lower manhole plate joint on boiler B of that vessel, Crouse hauled the fires in the hot, vapor-filled atmosphere which necessitated the playing of water into the fireroom from a hose.