Richard Bates (Medal of Honor)

Wyndham Richard Bates (1829–1889)[1] was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.

Wyndham Richard Bates
Born1829
Wales
DiedDecember 7, 1889(1889-12-07) (aged 59–60)[1]
Place of burial
Cypress Hills National Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York[1]
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branchUnited States Navy
RankSeaman
UnitUSS De Soto
AwardsMedal of Honor

A native of Wales, Bates immigrated to the U.S. and joined the Navy from the state of New York. By May 10, 1866, he was serving as a seaman on the USS De Soto. On that day, while the De Soto was off the coast of Eastport, Maine, he and two shipmates rescued two sailors from the USS Winooski from drowning. For this action, he and his shipmates, Captain of the Afterguard John Brown and Seaman Thomas Burke, were awarded the Medal of Honor three months later, on August 1.[2][3]

Bates' official Medal of Honor citation reads:

For heroic conduct in rescuing from drowning James Rose and John Russell, seamen of the U.S.S. Winooski, off Eastport, Maine, 10 May 1866.[2]

See also

References
  1. Burials of Interim 1866-1870 Medal of Honor Recipients Affiliated with New York at the New York State Military Musem and Veterans Research Center website
  2. "Medal of Honor recipients – Interim Awards, 1866–1870". Medal of Honor citations. United States Army Center of Military History. August 3, 2009. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  3. Record of Medals of Honor issued to the Bluejackets and Marines of the United States Navy 1862–1910. Bureau of Navigation. 1910. p. 9. ISBN 978-1-4437-7612-7.
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