William Sidney Shacklette
Encyclopedia
William Sidney Shacklette (May 18, 1880 - February 12, 1945) was a hospital steward serving in the United States Navy
who received the Medal of Honor
for bravery.
and when he was twenty-two years old he joined the United States Navy. He enlisted for four years as a Hospital Apprentice First Class at the U.S. Naval Rendezvous at the Washington Navy Yard
in Washington, D.C.
. He served on two other ships before being transferred to the gunboat . He was stationed aboard the as a hospital steward when on July 21, 1905 one of the ’s boilers exploded while it was in San Diego, California
. Although he suffered severe third degree burns over much of his body in the explosion he assisted other wounded as much as he could and was credited with saving the lives of many of his fellow sailors. For his actions received the Medal January 5, 1906. Due to his injuries he was honorably discharged from the Navy from the sailors quarters at the Washington Navy Yard October 23, 1906. After recovering from his wounds he completed seminary school and returned to active duty in the United States Army during World War I
as a chaplain. He remained on active duty through the war and once it was over continued as a minister which eventually led to his nomination to be the Chaplain of the United States Senate.
He died February 12, 1945 and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington, Virginia seven days later on February 19, 1945. His grave can be found in section 10, lot 10688.
Citation:
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
who received the Medal of Honor
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...
for bravery.
Biography
Shacklette was born May 18, 1880 in Delaplane, VirginiaVirginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
and when he was twenty-two years old he joined the United States Navy. He enlisted for four years as a Hospital Apprentice First Class at the U.S. Naval Rendezvous at the Washington Navy Yard
Washington Navy Yard
The Washington Navy Yard is the former shipyard and ordnance plant of the United States Navy in Southeast Washington, D.C. It is the oldest shore establishment of the U.S. Navy...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
. He served on two other ships before being transferred to the gunboat . He was stationed aboard the as a hospital steward when on July 21, 1905 one of the ’s boilers exploded while it was in San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
. Although he suffered severe third degree burns over much of his body in the explosion he assisted other wounded as much as he could and was credited with saving the lives of many of his fellow sailors. For his actions received the Medal January 5, 1906. Due to his injuries he was honorably discharged from the Navy from the sailors quarters at the Washington Navy Yard October 23, 1906. After recovering from his wounds he completed seminary school and returned to active duty in the United States Army during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
as a chaplain. He remained on active duty through the war and once it was over continued as a minister which eventually led to his nomination to be the Chaplain of the United States Senate.
He died February 12, 1945 and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
Arlington, Virginia seven days later on February 19, 1945. His grave can be found in section 10, lot 10688.
Honors
Shacklette Hall, a barracks located at Portsmouth Naval Medical Center was named for him on June 13, 1996.Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Hospital Steward, U.S. Navy. Born: 17 May 1880, Delaplane, Va. Accredited to: Virginia. G.O. No.: 13, 5 January 1906.Citation:
For extraordinary heroism while serving on the U.S.S. Bennington at the time of the explosion of a boiler of that vessel at San Diego, Calif., 21 July 1905.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients during peacetime