Herbert L. Foss
Herbert Louis Foss | |
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Born | Belfast, Maine | October 12, 1871
Died | September 1, 1937 Hingham, Massachusetts | (aged 65)
Place of burial | Fort Hill Cemetery Hingham, Massachusetts |
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service/ | United States Navy |
Rank | Seaman |
Battles/wars | Spanish–American War |
Awards | Medal of Honor |
Herbert Louis Foss (October 12, 1871, Belfast, Maine – September 1, 1937 Hingham, Massachusetts) was a United States Navy Seaman who received the Medal of Honor for actions during the Spanish–American War.
Spanish–American War
Foss joined in the United States Navy in January, 1897. He served as a seaman on the light cruiser USS Marblehead. On May 11, 1898, during combat off the northwest coast of Cuba, the crew of the USS Marblehead pulled the main communications cable over the bow of their boat. Despite being under heavy fire, they severed the cable. Foss finished the job with a hacksaw. The crew suffered many casualties, however they accomplished their mission of disrupting communications between Cuba and Spain.[1]
Post war
After being discharged from the Navy, Foss moved to Hingham, Massachusetts and found work at the Naval Ammunition Depot in that town. He was a member of the United Spanish War Veterans. He became the superintendent of the Fort Hill Cemetery and, on September 1, 1937, while working at the cemetery, Foss died of heart disease.[2] He was buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery Hingham, Massachusetts.
Awards
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and Organization: Seaman, U.S. Navy. Born: 12 October 1871, Belfast, Maine. Accredited To: Maine. G.O. No.: 521, 7 July 1899.
Citation:
On board the U.S.S. Marblehead during the operation of cutting the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, Foss set an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this action.[3]
See also
References
- ^ "Wicked local news". Archived from the original on February 9, 2013. Retrieved March 28, 2010.
- ^ "Hingham misfires with snub of military hero". Boston Herald. Retrieved March 28, 2010.
- ^ "Foss". Home of Heroes. Retrieved March 28, 2010.
External links
- "Herbert L. Foss". Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor recipients. Find a Grave. Retrieved July 14, 2010.
- "Herbert L. Foss". Hall of Valor. Military Times. Retrieved July 14, 2010.
- Articles without Wikidata item
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- 1871 births
- 1937 deaths
- United States Navy Medal of Honor recipients
- United States Navy sailors
- American military personnel of the Spanish–American War
- People from Belfast, Maine
- Spanish–American War recipients of the Medal of Honor
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- United States Navy personnel stubs