# List of Medal of Honor recipients in non-combat incidents

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 [s]" (actions against a party in which the U.S. is not directly engaged in war with). 204 men earned the medal in this way. The vast majority of the non-combat medals were awarded to members of the United States Navy for their actions during boiler explosions, man-overboard incidents, and other hazards of naval service. The list includes 10 Navy officers and men who earned the Medal of Honor for non-combat actions during the First World War and one who received it during World War II.
The last award of the Medal of Honor for valor not in combat was Francis P. Hammerberg, a United States Navy diver who received the Medal of Honor posthumously for rescuing two fellow divers at Pearl Harbor in the then Territory of Hawaii. He lost his life during rescue operations on February 17, 1945.
Given in the list below are the place and date of each recipient's Medal of Honor action, as well as their rank at the time of the action. A posthumous award is denoted by an asterisk after the recipient's name.

## Medal of Honor

The Medal of Honor was created during the American Civil War and is the highest military decoration presented by the United States to a member of its armed forces. Currently, the recipient must have distinguished themselves at the risk of their own life above and beyond the call of duty in action against "an enemy of the United States" or "an opposing foreign force." Due to the nature of this medal, it is commonly presented posthumously. A Medal of Honor in non-combat has not been presented since 1945.

## List of recipients

This with the * indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously
    Note: Notes in quotations are derived or are copied from the official Medal of Honor citation
| Image | Name | Service | Rank | Place of action | Date of action | Notes |
| — | William Ahern | Navy | Watertender | USS Puritan (BM-1) | Jul 1, 1897 | For lifesaving heroism during boiler malfunction |
| — | William Anderson | Navy | Coxswain | USS Powhatan | Jun 28, 1878 | For rescuing from drowning W. H. Moffatt, First Class Boy |
| | Daniel Atkins | Navy | Ship's Cook First Class | USS Cushing (TB-1) | Feb 11, 1898 | For attempting to save from drowning, Ensign Joseph C. Breckenridge |
| — | John F. Auer | Navy | Ordinary Seaman Apprentice | USS Lancaster, Marseille, France | Nov 20, 1883 | For rescuing a drowning French boy, who had fallen from a pier |
| | William Badders | Navy | Chief Machinist's Mate | wreck site of USS Squalus (SS-192) | May 23, 1939 | For his actions as a diver in rescuing the crew of the sunken USS Squalus |
| — | Edward Barrett | Navy | Fireman Second Class | USS Alaska, Callao Bay, Peru | Sep 14, 1881 | Saved USS Alaska from catastrophe by preventing boiler explosion |
| — | Richard Bates | Navy | Seaman | off Eastport, Maine | May 10, 1866 | For rescuing from drowning, James Rose and John Russell, seamen of USS Winooski |
| — | Frederick Behne | Navy | Fireman First Class | USS Iowa (BB-4) | Jan 25, 1905 | Extraordinary heroism saving ship after boiler explosion |
| — | Heinrich Behnke | Navy | Seaman First Class | USS Iowa (BB-4) | Jan 25, 1905 | Extraordinary heroism saving ship after boiler explosion |
| — | William H. Belpitt | Navy | Captain of the Afterguard | USS Monocacy, Fuzhou, China | Oct 7, 1884 | For rescuing from drowning a Chinese man, whose canoe had capsized |
| | Floyd Bennett | Navy | Machinist | over the Arctic | May 9, 1926 | For his part in what was thought to be the first successful heavier-than-air flight to the North Pole and back |
| — | James Benson | Navy | Seaman | USS Ossipee | Jun 20, 1872 | For attempting to save from drowning, Landsman John K. Smith |
| — | Ernest H. Bjorkman | Navy | Ordinary Seaman | USS Leyden | Jan 21, 1903 | For heroism during the sinking of his ship |
| | Edward W. Boers | Navy | Seaman | USS Bennington (PG-4), San Diego, California | Jul 21, 1905 | Extraordinary heroism, while minimizing loss of life, and material damage while saving his ship, after a boiler explosion |
| — | Robert E. Bonney | Navy | Chief Watertender | USS Hopkins (DD-6) | Feb 14, 1910 | For heroism during an accident to a ship's boiler |
| — | Alexander Bradley | Navy | Landsman | USS Wachusett, off Cowes, England | Aug 7, 1872 | For attempting to save from drowning Landsman Philip Cassidy of USS Wabash |
| | Willis Winter Bradley, Jr. | Navy | O-03Lieutenant | USS Pittsburgh en route to Buenos Aires, Argentina | Jul 23, 1917 | Entered a room containing explosives and extinguished a fire after an accidental detonation |
| | Henry Breault | Navy | Torpedoman's Mate Second Class | USS O-5 (SS-66) | Oct 28, 1923 | For rescuing another sailor when submarine O-5 sank |
| | George Breeman | Navy | Seaman | USS Kearsarge (BB-5) | Apr 13, 1906 | For actions after the accidental ignition of gunpowder |
| — | Patrick F. Bresnahan | Navy | Watertender | USS Iowa (BB-4) | Jan 25, 1905 | Extraordinary heroism saving ship after boiler explosion |
| — | George F. Brock | Navy | Carpenter's Mate Second Class | USS Bennington (PG-4), San Diego, California | Jul 21, 1905 | For extraordinary heroism when boiler exploded on ship |
| — | John Brown | Navy | Captain of the Afterguard | off Eastport, Maine | May 10, 1866 | For rescuing from drowning James Rose and John Russell, seamen of USS Winooski |
| — | David M. Buchanan | Navy | Apprentice | USS Saratoga, off Battery, New York Harbor | Jul 15, 1879 | Saved Apprentice Robert Lee Robey from drowning at risk of his own life |
| — | Thomas Burke | Navy | Seaman | off Eastport, Maine | May 10, 1866 | For rescuing from drowning James Rose and John Russell, seamen of USS Winooski |
| | Richard E. Byrd, Jr. | Navy | Commander | over the Arctic | May 9, 1926 | For leading what was thought to be the first successful heavier-than-air flight to the North Pole and back |
| — | Thomas Cahey | Navy | Seaman | USS Petrel (PG-2) | Mar 31, 1901 | Risked his life to save others from an on-board fire |
| | Tedford H. Cann | Navy | E-03Seaman | USS May | Nov 5, 1917 | Dove into a flooded compartment to find and plug a leak which threatened his ship |
| | James Carey | Navy | Seaman | USS Huron | 1870 | For saving 3 shipmates from drowning |
| | Robert W. Cary | Navy | Ensign | USS San Diego (CA-6) | Jan 21, 1915 | Saved 3 men's lives after boiler explosion, then led effort to prevent further boiler explosion |
| — | August Chandron | Navy | Seaman Apprentice Second Class | USS Quinnebaug, Alexandria, Egypt | Nov 21, 1885 | For rescuing from drowning Ordinary Seaman William Evans |
| | George R. Cholister* | Navy | Boatswain's Mate First Class | USS Trenton (CL-11) | Oct 20, 1924 | Died of burns suffered while attempting to stifle a fatal munitions fire in forward gun mount |
| — | Edward A. Clary | Navy | Watertender | USS Hopkins (DD-6) | Feb 14, 1910 | Extraordinary heroism in line of duty during accident to ship's boiler |
| — | John J. Clausey | Navy | Chief Gunner's Mate | USS Bennington (PG-4), San Diego, California | Jul 21, 1905 | For extraordinary heroism when boiler exploded on ship |
| — | Michael Connolly | Navy | Ordinary Seaman | USS Plymouth, Halifax Harbour, Nova Scotia | Aug 7, 1876 | For rescuing a citizen from drowning |
| — | Demetri Corahorgi | Navy | Fireman First Class | USS Iowa (BB-4) | Jan 25, 1905 | Extraordinary heroism saving ship after boiler explosion |
| — | William Corey | Navy | Landsman | USS Plymouth, Navy Yard, New York | Jul 26, 1876 | Heroic attempt to save life of shipmate fallen overboard from aloft |
| | William M. Corry, Jr.* | Navy | Lieutenant Commander | near Hartford, Connecticut | Oct 2, 1920 | For attempting to rescue a fellow officer from a burning plane; died from burns four days later |
| — | John Costello | Navy | Ordinary Seaman | USS Hartford, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Jul 16, 1876 | For rescuing from drowning a landsman of USS Hartford |
| — | Henry C. Courtney | Navy | Seaman | USS Portsmouth, Washington Navy Yard | Feb 7, 1882 | For rescuing from drowning Charles Taliaferro, Jack-of-the-Dust |
| | Jesse W. Covington | Navy | E-04Ship's Cook Third class | USS Stewart | Apr 17, 1918 | Dove overboard and rescued a man who was surrounded by boxes of explosives |
| — | Robert E. Cox | Navy | Chief Gunner's Mate | USS Missouri, off Pensacola, Florida | Apr 13, 1904 | For extinguishing munitions fire aboard ship, preventing its loss |
| — | Thomas Cramen | Navy | Boatswain's Mate | USS Portsmouth, Washington Navy Yard | Feb 7, 1882 | For rescuing from drowning Charles Taliaferro, Jack-of-the-Dust |
| | Orson L. Crandall | Navy | Chief Boatswain's Mate | wreck site of USS Squalus (SS-192) | May 23, 1939 | For his actions as a diver in rescuing the crew of the sunken USS Squalus |
| — | William J. Creelman | Navy | Landsman | USS Maine (ACR-1) | Feb 1, 1897 | Heroic attempt to save life at sea |
| | Frank W. Crilley | Navy | Chief Gunner's Mate | wreck site of USS F-4 (SS-23), off Honolulu, Hawaii | Apr 17, 1915 | For rescuing a fellow diver who had become tangled in the wreckage and trapped underwater |
| — | Willie Cronan | Navy | Boatswain's Mate | USS Bennington (PG-4), San Diego, California | Jul 21, 1905 | Bravery shown during ship's boiler explosion |
| — | George W. Cutter | Navy | Landsman | USS Powhatan, Norfolk, Virginia | May 27, 1872 | For assisting in rescuing a shipmate from drowning |
| — | John Davis | Navy | Ordinary Seaman | USS Trenton, Toulon, France | Feb 1, 1881 | For rescuing from drowning Coxswain Augustus Ohlensen |
| — | Joseph H. Davis | Navy | Landsman | USS Dale, off wharf at Norfolk, Virginia | Jan 22, 1886 | For rescuing from drowning Ordinary Seaman John Norman |
| — | Raymond E. Davis | Navy | Quartermaster Third Class | USS Bennington (PG-4), San Diego, California | Jul 21, 1905 | For extraordinary heroism when boiler exploded aboard ship |
| — | John Dempsey | Navy | Seaman | USS Kearsarge, Shanghai, China | Jan 23, 1875 | Gallantly rescued shipmate from drowning |
| — | Michael Deneef | Navy | Captain of the Top | USS Swatara, Para, Brazil | Dec 1, 1875 | Leaped overboard and saved shipmate from drowning |
| — | Austin Denham | Navy | Seaman | USS Kansas, near Greytown, Nicaragua | Apr 12, 1872 | Preventing further loss of life during mass drowning |
| | Henry C. Drexler* | Navy | Ensign | USS Trenton (CL-11) | Oct 20, 1924 | Died of burns while attempting to stifle a fatal munitions fire in forward gun mount |
| — | Frank Du Moulin | Navy | Apprentice | USS Sabine, New London Harbor | Sep 5, 1867 | For jumping overboard and saving Apprentice D'Orsay from drowning |
| | Thomas Eadie | Navy | Chief Gunner's Mate | USS S-4 (SS-109) wreck site, off Provincetown, Massachusetts | Dec 18, 1927 | For rescuing a fellow diver who had become trapped underwater |
| | Walter A. Edwards | Navy | Lieutenant Commander | USS Bainbridge (DD-246), Sea of Marmora, Turkey | Dec 16, 1922 | For leading the rescue of passengers on the French military transport Vinh-Long |
| — | Henry A. Eilers | Navy | Gunner's Mate | USS Philadelphia (C-4), Fort McHenry, Baltimore, Maryland | Sep 17, 1892 | Stamping out burning particles of prematurely exploded cartridge in powder magazine |
| — | Walter Elmore | Navy | Landsman | USS Gettysburg | Oct 1, 1878 | For saving from drowning Landsman Wallace Febrey |
| — | John Enright | Navy | Landsman | USS Ranger, off Ensenada, Mexico | Jan 18, 1886 | Jumping overboard, Davis rescued Seamen John Bell and George Svensson from drowning |
| — | John Everetts | Navy | Gunner's Mate Third Class | USS Cushing (TB-1) | Feb 11, 1898 | For attempting to save from drowning Ensign Joseph C. Breckenridge |
| — | Harry Delmar Fadden | Navy | Coxswain | USS Adams | Jun 30, 1903 | For rescuing O.C. Hawthorne, Landsman for training, from drowning |
| — | Isaac L. Fasseur | Navy | Ordinary Seaman | USS Lackawanna, Callao, Peru | Jun 13, 1884 | For rescuing from drowning William Cruise |
| — | John Flannagan | Navy | Boatswain's Mate | USS Supply | Oct 26, 1878 | For rescuing from drowning Seaman David Walsh |
| — | Edward Floyd | Navy | Boilermaker | USS Iowa (BB-4) | Jan 25, 1905 | Extraordinary heroism saving ship after boiler explosion |
| — | Christopher Fowler | Navy | Quartermaster | USS Fortune, Point Zapotitlan, Mexico | May 11, 1874 | Displayed valorous conduct when ship's boat capsized, drowning part of crew |
| — | Emil Fredericksen | Navy | Watertender | USS Bennington (PG-4), San Diego, California | Jul 21, 1905 | For extraordinary heroism when boiler exploded on ship |
| — | Charles Gidding | Navy | Seaman | USS Plymouth, Navy Yard, New York | Jul 26, 1876 | For trying to rescue a shipmate from drowning |
| — | Matthew Gillick | Navy | Boatswain's Mate | USS Lancaster, Marseille, France | Nov 20, 1883 | For rescuing from drowning a French boy who had fallen from a pier |
| — | Alphonse Girandy | Navy | Seaman | USS Petrel (PG-2) | Mar 31, 1901 | For courage in firefighting efforts |
| — | William H. Gowan | Navy | Boatswain's Mate | Coquimbo, Chile | Jan 20, 1909 | Bravery displayed by him during a fire |
| | Ora Graves | Navy | E-03Seaman | USS Pittsburgh en route to Buenos Aires, Argentina | Jul 23, 1917 | Extinguished a fire after an accidental explosion |
| — | Rade Grbitch | Navy | Seaman | USS Bennington (PG-4), San Diego, California | Jul 21, 1905 | For extraordinary heroism when boiler exploded aboard ship |
| | Adolphus W. Greely | Army | Major General | various | Jul 26, 1861 – Mar 27, 1908 | For his lifetime of service |
| | William Halford | Navy | Coxswain | Pacific Ocean | Oct 1, 1870 | Sailed 31 days in small boat to Hawaii to fetch rescuers to his marooned shipmates of USS Saginaw stranded near Midway Island. |
| — | Luovi Halling | Navy | Boatswain's Mate First Class | USS Missouri | Sep 15, 1904 | For attempting to rescue a shipmate from drowning |
| | Francis Hammerberg* | Navy | Boatswain's Mate Second Class | Pearl Harbor Navy Yard | Feb 17, 1945 | Died while rescuing two other divers from the wreckage of a sunken LST at Pearl Harbor. Hammerberg was the last person to receive the Medal of Honor for a non-combat action. |
| — | John Handran | Navy | Seaman | USS Franklin, Lisbon, Portugal | Jan 9, 1876 | For rescuing a shipmate from drowning |
| — | David Harrington | Navy | Fireman First Class | USS Tallapoosa | Aug 21, 1884 | Remained in engine room of his sinking ship until waist deep water extinguished boiler fires, then opened safety valves |
| — | John Hayden | Navy | Apprentice | USS Saratoga, off the Battery, New York Harbor | Jul 15, 1879 | For assisting in the rescue from drowning of R. L. Robey |
| — | John H. Helms | Marine Corps | Sergeant | USS Chicago, Montevideo, Uruguay | Jan 10, 1901 | For rescuing a shipmate from drowning |
| — | Frank E. Hill | Navy | Ship's Cook First Class | USS Bennington (PG-4), San Diego, California | Jul 21, 1905 | For extraordinary heroism when boiler exploded on ship |
| — | George Hill | Navy | Chief Quarter Gunner | USS Kansas, near Greytown, Nicaragua | Apr 12, 1872 | Preventing further loss of life during mass drowning |
| — | William L. Hill | Navy | Captain of the Top | USS Minnesota, Newport, Rhode Island | Jun 22, 1881 | For rescuing from drowning William Mulcahy, Third Class Boy |
| — | George Holt | Navy | Quarter Gunner | USS Plymouth, Hamburg Harbor | Jul 3, 1871 | For rescuing from drowning one of a party who was thrown from a shore boat |
| | August Holtz | Navy | Chief Watertender | USS North Dakota (BB-29) | Sep 8, 1910 | For heroism in fighting fire on USS North Dakota |
| — | James Horton | Navy | Captain of the Top | USS Constitution | Feb 13, 1879 | For going over the stern during a heavy gale and cutting the fastenings of the ship's rudder chains |
| | William R. Huber | Navy | Machinist's Mate | USS Bruce (DD-329), Naval Shipyard, Norfolk, Virginia | Jun 11, 1928 | Risked his life and suffered severe burns rescuing Charles Bryan from steam-filled boiler room after accident |
| | Carlton B. Hutchins* | Navy | Lieutenant | off the coast of southern California | Feb 2, 1938 | Remained at controls of damaged seaplane, thereby saving lives of aircrew members |
| — | Johannes J. Johannessen | Navy | Chief Watertender | USS Iowa (BB-4) | Jan 25, 1905 | Extraordinary heroism saving ship after boiler explosion |
| — | John Johnson | Navy | Seaman | USS Kansas, near Greytown, Nicaragua | Apr 12, 1872 | Preventing further loss of life during mass drowning |
| — | William Johnson | Navy | Cooper | USS Adams, Navy Yard, Mare Island, California | Nov 14, 1879 | For rescuing from drowning Daniel W. Kloppen, a workman |
| | Claud Ashton Jones | Navy | Commander | USS Memphis (CA-10), off Santo Domingo City, Santo Domingo | Aug 29, 1916 | Saved lives of crew of USS Memphis from destruction by a tsunami |
| — | Thomas Kersey | Navy | Ordinary Seaman | USS Plymouth, Navy Yard, New York | Jul 26, 1876 | For rescuing a shipmate from drowning |
| — | Hugh King | Navy | Ordinary Seaman | USS Iroquois, Delaware River | Sep 7, 1871 | For rescuing one of the crew of USS Iroquois from drowning |
| | John King | Navy | Watertender | USS Salem (CL-3) | Sep 13, 1909 | For heroism during a boiler accident |
| — | John King | Navy | Watertender | USS Vicksburg (PG-11) | May 29, 1901 | For heroism during a boiler accident; one of only 19 two-time Medal of Honor recipients |
| — | Robert Klein | Navy | Chief Carpenter's Mate | USS Raleigh (C-8) | Jan 25, 1904 | For saving shipmates succumbing to poisonous fumes |
| | Patrick J. Kyle | Navy | Landsman | USS Quinnebaug, Port Mahon, Minorca | Mar 13, 1879 | For rescuing a shipmate from drowning |
| — | John Lafferty | Navy | Fireman First Class | USS Alaska, Callao Bay, Peru | Sep 14, 1881 | Second award; previously received a Medal of Honor for actions during the Civil War |
| — | Thomas Lakin | Navy | Seaman | USS Narragansett, Navy Yard, Mare Island, California | Nov 1, 1874 | For rescuing two shipmates from drowning |
| — | Emile Lejeune | Navy | Seaman | USS Plymouth, Port Royal, South Carolina | Jun 6, 1876 | For rescuing a citizen from drowning |
| | Charles Lindbergh | Air Corps | Captain | from New York City to Paris, France | May 20, 1927 – May 21, 1927 | For flying the first solo non-stop flight across the Atlantic Ocean |
| | Harry Lipscomb | Navy | Watertender | USS North Dakota (BB-29) | Sep 8, 1910 | For heroism in fighting fire aboard his ship |
| — | George Low | Navy | Seaman | USS Tennessee, New Orleans, Louisiana | Feb 15, 1881 | For rescuing from drowning N. P. Petersen, Gunner's Mate |
| — | John Lucy | Navy | Second Class Boy | USS Minnesota, Castle Garden, New York | Jul 9, 1876 | For heroic conduct aboard USS Minnesota during Castle Garden immigration center fire |
| | John MacKenzie | Navy | E-07Chief Boatswain's Mate | USS Remlik (SP-157) in the Bay of Biscay | Dec 17, 1917 | Secured a live depth charge |
| — | Edward Maddin | Navy | Ordinary Seaman | USS Franklin, Lisbon, Portugal | Jan 9, 1876 | For rescuing a shipmate from drowning |
| — | John W. Magee | Navy | Fireman Second Class | USS Tallapoosa | Aug 21, 1884 | Remained on duty in fireroom until rising waters extinguished boilers |
| — | Henry J. Manning | Navy | Quartermaster | USS New Hampshire, off Coasters Harbor Island, near Newport, Rhode Island | Jan 4, 1882 | For attempting to rescue from drowning Jabez Smith, Second Class Musician |
| — | Joseph Matthews | Navy | Captain of the Top | USS Constitution | Feb 13, 1879 | For going over the stern during a heavy gale and cutting the fastenings of the ship's rudder chains |
| — | John McCarton | Navy | Ship's Printer | USS New Hampshire, off Coasters Harbor Island, near Newport, Rhode Island | Jan 4, 1882 | For attempting to rescue from drowning Jabez Smith, Second Class Musician |
| | James H. McDonald | Navy | Chief Metalsmith | wreck site of USS Squalus (SS-192) | May 23, 1939 | For his actions as a diver in rescuing the crew of the sunken USS Squalus |
| | Patrick McGunigal | Navy | E-06Shipfitter First class | USS Huntington | Sep 17, 1917 | Rescued the pilot of a crashed observation balloon |
| | John Mihalowski | Navy | Torpedoman First Class | wreck site of USS Squalus (SS-192) | May 23, 1939 | For his actions as a diver in rescuing the crew of the sunken USS Squalus |
| — | Hugh Miller | Navy | Boatswain's Mate | USS Quinnebaug, Alexandria, Egypt | Nov 21, 1885 | For assisting in rescuing a shipmate from drowning |
| — | John Millmore | Navy | Ordinary Seaman | USS Essex, Monrovia, Liberia | Oct 31, 1877 | For rescuing from drowning Ordinary Seaman John W. Powers |
| — | Thomas Mitchell | Navy | Landsman | USS Richmond, Shanghai, China | Nov 17, 1879 | For rescuing from drowning First Class Boy M. F. Caulan |
| | Mons Monssen | Navy | Chief Gunner's Mate | USS Missouri | Apr 13, 1904 | Entered munitions magazine to extinguish fire with hand thrown water, then by hose |
| — | Francis Moore | Navy | Boatswain's Mate | USS Portsmouth, Washington Navy Yard | Jan 23, 1882 | For attempting to rescue from drowning Thomas Duncan, carpenter and calker |
| — | Philip Moore | Navy | Seaman | USS Trenton, Genoa, Italy | Sep 21, 1880 | For rescuing from drowning Ordinary Seaman Hans Paulsen |
| — | John Morris | Marine Corps | Corporal | USS Lancaster, Villefranche, France | Dec 25, 1881 | For rescuing from drowning Ordinary Seaman Robert Blizzard |
| — | William Morse | Navy | Seaman | USS Shenandoah, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | Sep 19, 1880 | For rescuing from drowning First Class Fireman James Grady |
| — | Hugh P. Mullin | Navy | Seaman | USS Texas, off Hampton Roads, Virginia | Nov 11, 1899 | For rescuing from drowning Apprentice Second Class Alfred Kosminski |
| — | Oscar F. Nelson | Navy | Machinist's Mate First Class | USS Bennington (PG-4), San Diego, California | Jul 21, 1905 | For extraordinary heroism when boiler exploded aboard ship |
| | Joseph B. Noil | Navy | Seaman | USS Powhatan, Norfolk, Virginia | Dec 26, 1872 | For saving Boatswain J. C. Walton from drowning |
| — | Isadore Nordstrom | Navy | Chief Boatswain's Mate | USS Kearsarge (BB-5) | Apr 13, 1906 | For rescuing injured after munitions fire in forward turret |
| — | J. W. Norris | Navy | Landsman | USS Jamestown, New York Navy Yard | Dec 20, 1883 | For rescuing A. A. George from drowning |
| — | James F. O'Conner | Navy | Landsman | USS Jean Sands, opposite the Norfolk Navy Yard | Jun 15, 1880 | For rescuing from drowning a young girl who had fallen overboard |
| — | John O'Neal | Navy | Boatswain's Mate | USS Kansas, near Greytown, Nicaragua | Apr 12, 1872 | Preventing further loss of life during mass drowning |
| — | August Ohmsen | Navy | Master-at-Arms | USS Tallapoosa | Aug 21, 1884 | For lifesaving efforts during sinking of USS Tallapoosa |
| | Francis E. Ormsbee, Jr. | Navy | E-07Chief Machinist's Mate | near the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida | Sep 25, 1918 | Rescued the gunner of a downed plane, tried unsuccessfully to rescue the pilot |
| — | John Osborne | Navy | Seaman | USS Juniata (1862), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Aug 21, 1876 | For rescuing from drowning an enlisted boy of USS Juniata |
| — | Christian Osepins | Navy | Seaman | USS Fortune, Hampton Roads, Virginia | May 7, 1882 | For rescuing from drowning Gunner's Mate James Walters |
| — | Alexander Parker | Navy | Boatswain's Mate | Mare Island Naval Shipyard | Jul 25, 1876 | For attempting to save a shipmate from drowning |
| — | Alexander Peters | Navy | Boatswain's Mate First Class | USS Missouri | Sep 15, 1904 | For attempting to rescue a shipmate from drowning |
| — | Louis F. Pfeifer | Marine Corps | Private | USS Petrel (PG-2) | Mar 31, 1901 | "...for heroism and gallantry, fearlessly exposing his own life to danger for the saving of the others on the occasion of the fire on board that vessel." Served as Louis F. Theis during first enlistment. |
| — | Richard Pile | Navy | Ordinary Seaman | USS Kansas, near Greytown, Nicaragua | Apr 12, 1872 | Preventing further loss of life during mass drowning |
| — | Joseph Quick | Navy | Coxswain | Yokohama, Japan | Apr 27, 1902 | For rescuing a shipmate from drowning |
| — | Patrick Regan | Navy | Ordinary Seaman | USS Pensacola, harbor of Coquimbo, Chile | Jul 30, 1873 | For rescuing a shipmate from drowning |
| | Patrick Reid | Navy | Chief Watertender | USS North Dakota (BB-29) | Sep 8, 1910 | For heroism in fighting fire on his ship |
| | Charles C. Roberts | Navy | Machinist's Mate First Class | USS North Dakota (BB-29) | Sep 8, 1910 | For heroism in fighting fire on his ship |
| — | John Robinson | Navy | Captain of the Hold | Pensacola Bay, Florida | Jan 19, 1867 | Swam ashore through heavy gale trailing rescue line needed to resupply ship so it could raise steam and avoid stranding |
| — | Thomas Robinson | Navy | Captain of the Afterguard | off New Orleans, Louisiana | Jul 15, 1866 | For efforts to save from drowning Wellington Brocar, Landsman, of USS Tallapoosa |
| — | Johannes Rouning | Navy | Ordinary Seaman | USS Fortune, Hampton Roads, Virginia | May 7, 1882 | For rescuing from drowning Gunner's Mate James Walters |
| | George W. Rud* | Navy | Chief Machinist's Mate | USS Memphis (CA-10), off Santo Domingo City, Santo Domingo | Aug 29, 1916 | Scalded to death at his engine room duty while a tsunami was destroying his ship |
| — | John Russell | Navy | Seaman | USS Trenton, Genoa, Italy | Sep 21, 1880 | For rescuing from drowning Ordinary Seaman Hans Paulsen |
| — | Richard Ryan | Navy | Ordinary Seaman | USS Hartford, Norfolk, Virginia | Mar 4, 1876 | For rescuing a shipmate from drowning |
| | Thomas J. Ryan | Navy | Ensign | Yokohama, Japan | Sep 1, 1923 | For rescuing a woman from the burning Grand Hotel, following an earthquake |
| — | William Sadler | Navy | Captain of the Top | USS Saratoga, off Coasters Harbor Island, Rhode Island | Jun 25, 1881 | For rescuing from drowning Second Class Boy Frank Gallagher |
| — | Isaac Sapp | Navy | Seaman | USS Shenandoah, Villefranche, France | Dec 15, 1871 | For assisting in saving from drowning Seaman Charles Prince |
| — | Charles S. Schepke | Navy | Gunner's Mate First Class | USS Missouri | Apr 13, 1904 | For extinguishing munitions fire aboard ship, preventing its loss |
| | Oscar Schmidt, Jr. | Navy | E-07Chief Gunner's Mate | USS Chestnut Hill | Oct 9, 1918 | Rescued a wounded man from the water and attempted to rescue another |
| | Otto D. Schmidt | Navy | Seaman | USS Bennington (PG-4), San Diego, California | Jul 21, 1905 | For extraordinary heroism when boiler exploded aboard ship |
| — | William S. Shacklette | Navy | Hospital Steward | USS Bennington (PG-4), San Diego, California | Jul 21, 1905 | Bravery shown during ship's boiler explosion |
| — | Patrick Shanahan | Navy | Chief Boatswain's Mate | USS Alliance | May 28, 1899 | For rescuing from drowning Quartermaster First Class William Steven |
| — | John O. Siegel | Navy | E-05Boatswain's Mate Second Class | Mohawk (YT-17) | Nov 1, 1918 | Rescued two men from a burning vessel before being trapped and collapsing from the smoke |
| — | Henry L. Simpson* | Navy | Fireman First Class | USS Essex, Monrovia, Liberia | Oct 31, 1877 | For rescuing from drowning Ordinary Seaman John W. Powers |
| — | Albert J. Smith | Marine Corps | Private | Marine Barracks, Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida | Feb 11, 1921 | For pulling a man from the wreckage of a crashed and burning seaplane |
| — | Eugene P. Smith | Navy | Chief Watertender | USS Decatur (DD-5) | Sep 9, 1915 | For entering compartments immediately following an explosion and rescuing injured shipmates |
| — | James Smith | Navy | Seaman | USS Kansas, near Greytown, Nicaragua | Apr 12, 1872 | Preventing further loss of life during mass drowning |
| — | John Smith | Navy | Seaman | USS Shenandoah, off Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | Sep 19, 1880 | For rescuing from drowning First Class Fireman James Grady |
| — | Thomas Smith | Navy | Seaman | USS Enterprise, off Para, Brazil | Oct 1, 1878 | For rescuing from drowning Coxswain William Kent |
| — | Wilhelm Smith | Navy | Gunner's Mate First Class | USS New York | Jan 24, 1916 | For entering a compartment filled with gases and rescuing a shipmate |
| — | William E. Snyder | Navy | Chief Electrician | USS Birmingham (CL-2), Hampton Roads, Virginia | Jan 4, 1910 | For rescuing from drowning Seaman G.H. Kephart |
| — | William B. Stacy | Navy | Seaman | harbor of Cape Haiten | before January 15, 1866 | For rescuing from drowning one of the crew of USS Rhode Island (1861) |
| | Thomas Stanton | Navy | Chief Machinist's Mate | USS North Dakota (BB-29) | Sep 8, 1910 | For heroism in fighting fire on USS North Dakota |
| — | James A. Stewart | Marine Corps | Corporal | USS Plymouth, harbor of Villefranche, France | Feb 1, 1872 | For rescuing from drowning Midshipman Osterhaus |
| — | John Stokes | Navy | Chief Master-at-Arms | USS New York, off Jamaica | Mar 31, 1899 | For helping rescue from drowning Watertender Peter Mahoney |
| — | Loddie Stupka | Navy | Fireman First Class | USS Leyden | Jan 21, 1903 | For heroism during sinking of his ship |
| — | James F. Sullivan | Navy | Boatswain's Mate | USS New Hampshire, Newport, Rhode Island | Apr 21, 1882 | For rescuing from drowning Third Class Boy Francis T. Price |
| — | Robert A. Sweeney | Navy | Ordinary Seaman | USS Kearsarge, at Hampton Roads, Virginia | Oct 26, 1881 | For assisting in saving a shipmate from drowning |
| — | Robert A. Sweeney | Navy | Ordinary Seaman | USS Yantic at New York Navy Yard | Dec 20, 1883 | For rescuing from drowning A. A. George |
| — | William Sweeney | Navy | Landsman | USS Jean Sands, opposite the Norfolk Navy Yard | Jun 15, 1880 | For rescuing from drowning a young girl who had fallen overboard |
| — | John Taylor | Navy | Seaman | Brooklyn Navy Yard | Sep 9, 1865 | For rescuing his commander from drowning |
| — | Richard H. Taylor | Navy | Quartermaster | USS Nipsic, Apia, Samoa | Mar 16, 1889 | Displayed gallantry during hurricane |
| — | August P. Teytand | Navy | Quartermaster Third Class | USS Leyden | Jan 21, 1903 | Heroism during sinking of his ship |
| — | James Thayer | Navy | Ship's Corporal | Naval Station Norfolk | Nov 16, 1879 | For rescuing a shipmate from drowning |
| — | Henry Thompson | Navy | Seaman | Mare Island, California | Jun 27, 1878 | For rescuing a man from drowning |
| — | Michael Thornton | Navy | Seaman | USS Leyden, near Boston, Massachusetts | Aug 26, 1881 | For rescuing from drowning Landsman Michael Drennan |
| — | Paul Tobin | Navy | Landsman | USS Plymouth, Hamburg Harbor | Jul 3, 1871 | For rescuing from drowning one of a party who was thrown from a shore boat |
| — | Telesforo Trinidad | Navy | Fireman Second Class | USS San Diego (CA-6) | Jan 21, 1915 | Rescued R. E. Daly and another injured fireman from boiler explosion despite his own facial burns |
| — | James M. Trout | Navy | Fireman Second Class | USS Frolic, Montevideo | Apr 20, 1877 | For attempting to save a shipmate from drowning |
| — | Jeremiah Troy | Navy | Chief Boatswain's Mate | USS New Hampshire, Newport, Rhode Island | Apr 21, 1882 | For rescuing from drowning Third Class Boy Francis T. Price |
| — | Alexander H. Turvelin | Navy | Seaman | USS Trenton, Toulon, France | Feb 1, 1881 | For rescuing from drowning Coxswain Augustus Ohlensen |
| — | Frank M. Upton | Navy | O-01Ensign | USS Stewart | Apr 17, 1918 | Dove overboard and rescued a man who was surrounded by boxes of explosives |
| | Michael Walsh | Navy | Chief Machinist | USS Leyden | Jan 21, 1903 | For heroism during sinking of his ship |
| — | Albert Weisbogel | Navy | Captain of the Mizzen Top | USS Plymouth | Apr 27, 1876 | For rescuing a shipmate from drowning |
| — | Albert Weisbogel | Navy | Captain of the Mizzen Top | USS Benicia | Jan 11, 1874 | For rescuing a shipmate from drowning |
| — | Adam Weissel | Navy | Ship's Cook | USS Minnesota, Newport, Rhode Island | Aug 26, 1881 | For rescuing from drowning Captain of the Forecastle C. Lorenze |
| | Karl Westa | Navy | Chief Machinist's Mate | USS North Dakota (BB-29) | Sep 8, 1910 | For heroism in fighting fire on his ship |
| — | George H. Wheeler | Navy | Shipfitter First Class | Coquimbo, Chile | Jan 20, 1909 | Extraordinary heroism during a fire |
| | Charles H. Willey | Navy | Machinist | USS Memphis (CA-10), off Santo Domingo City, Santo Domingo | Aug 29, 1916 | Lifesaving actions during loss of his ship to a tsunami |
| — | Antonio Williams | Navy | Seaman | USS Huron | Nov 24, 1877 | For courage and fidelity during loss of his ship |
| — | Henry Williams | Navy | Carpenter's Mate | USS Constitution | Feb 13, 1879 | For going over the stern during a heavy gale and performing important carpenter's work upon the rudder |
| — | Louis Williams | Navy | Captain of the Hold | USS Lackawanna, Honolulu, Hawaii | Mar 16, 1883 | For rescuing from drowning Landsman Thomas Moran |
| — | Louis Williams | Navy | Captain of the Hold | USS Lackawanna, Callao, Peru | Jun 13, 1884 | For rescuing from drowning William Cruise |
| | George Willis | Navy | Coxswain | USS Tigress, off the coast of Greenland | Sep 22, 1873 | Singlehanded furled loose fore topgallant sail, preventing damage to ship |
| — | August Wilson | Navy | Boilermaker | USS Puritan (BM-1) | Jul 1, 1897 | For lifesaving heroism during boiler malfunction |