New York Times, 6 February 1898 HEROES REWARDED While many heroic deeds have been performed by the officers and men of the United States Navy during the past thirty years, it was not until recently that any recognition by the Government has been shown to some of these brave men. The first two men to be awarded medals of honor for gallant conduct since the war are August Wilson, a boiler maker, and William O'Hearn, a water tender. Both men were attached to the United States monitor Puritan, and it was while on duty on that vessel that they displayed such bravery, and by their cool and quiet action not only saved the lives of the officers and men attached to the ship, but saved the vessel from untold damage. The deed through which the men won the medal of honor was performed on July 1, 1897, while the Puritan was at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The repairs to the vessel had been completed, and the engines were having a "dock trial" prior to the ship's departure, when the crown sheets of boiler E collapsed, sending volumes of steam and boiling water into the fireroom, where Chief Engineer George W. Cowie, Jr., and the men of his division were at work. So dense was the steam that the men had to grope their way from the room. Engineer Cowie was badly scalded about the face and hands while trying to reach the safety valve, which he wished to open. All the boilers were connected with the damaged one, and were in immediate danger of exploding. No time was to be lost, as the collapsing of the crown sheets of the other boilers meant not alone injury to the vessel, but probable loss of life. August Wilson assisted Engineer Cowie from the fireroom. Several men were dragged out of the place by both Wilson and O'Hearn. Mr. Cowie tried to return to the fireroom, but was prevented by Wilson, who said: "Don't go in there, Mr. Cowie, you are badly burned now. I will go," and both he and O'Hearn, after wrapping wet clothes about their faces and arms, entered the fireroom. Several men were still in the place, having become dazed by the steam which was pouring forth. They were taken to places of safety. Wilson opened the safety valve, while O'Hearn crawled over the tops of the boilers and closed the auxiliary stop valves, disconnecting the damaged boiler, and removing any danger of explosion from the other boilers. John P. Yates, chief machinist, nd William J. Lee entered the fireroom and worked personally hauling the fires, thus reducing the danger to a minimum. Capt. P. F. Harrington, commanding the Puritan, in his report of the accident and the conduct of the men to Admiral Sicard, said: "The circumstances of the conduct of August Wilson and William O'Hearn were of extraordinary heroism and gallantry, and I respectfully recommend that medals of honor given them." Admiral Sicard complimented the men who helped save the ship from danger, and in his report to Secretary Long spoke of the excellent example that the men set, and recommended them for medals of honor for the "dangerous part of the duty they undertook." The medals were presented about a month ago. Both Wilson and O'Hearn have been in the service many years, and both have received medals for their good conduct. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Dennis Ahern | The Ahern Family Genealogy Website Acton, Massachusetts | http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~aherns/ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -