Richard Hamilton Taylor (September 8, 1870 – March 24, 1956) was a quartermaster serving in the
United States Navy
The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...
who received the
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the United States Armed Forces' highest military decoration and is awarded to recognize American soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, guardians and coast guardsmen who have distinguished themselves by acts of valor. ...
for bravery.
Taylor was born in
Staunton, Virginia
Staunton ( ) is an independent city (United States), independent city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), U.S. Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the population was 25,750. In Virginia, independent cities a ...
, and later joined the navy. He was stationed aboard the as a quartermaster when, on March 16, 1889, a hurricane overwhelmed the ship while it was moored in
Apia, Samoa
Apia () is the Capital (political), capital and largest city of Samoa, as well as the nation's only city. It is located on the central north coast of Upolu, Samoa's second-largest island. Apia falls within the political district (''itūmālō ...
. For his actions received the Medal of Honor March 20, 1905.
He is buried in Evergreen Cemetery in
Brighton, Massachusetts
Brighton is a Municipal annexation in the United States, former town and current Neighborhoods in Boston, neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, United States, located in the northwestern corner of the city. It is named after the English city of ...
.
His grave can be found in the Pine Grove section, grave 821.
[
]
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Quartermaster, U.S. Navy. Born: 1871, Virginia. Accredited to: Virginia. G.O. No.: 157, 20 April 1904.
Citation:
Serving on board the U.S.S. Nipsic, Taylor displayed gallantry during the hurricane at Apia, Samoa, 16 March 1889.
See also
*List of Medal of Honor recipients during peacetime
Prior to 1963, the Medal of Honor could be awarded for actions not involving direct combat with "an enemy of the United States" or "opposing foreign force (actions against a party in which the U.S. is not directly engaged in war with).DoD Awards ...
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Taylor, Richard H.
1870 births
1956 deaths
United States Navy Medal of Honor recipients
United States Navy sailors
People from Staunton, Virginia
Burials in Massachusetts
Non-combat recipients of the Medal of Honor