William Badders was born in Harrisburg, Illinois, on 15 September
1901. He enrolled in the Naval Reserve in August 1918 and transferred
to the regular Navy in December 1919. Later trained as a diver,
Badders was awarded the Navy Cross for "extraordinary heroism
and devotion to duty" during the salvage of USS S-51
(SS-162) in 1926. He was designated a Master Diver in April 1931
and received commendations for his diving work in salvaging USS
S-4 (SS-109) in 1928 and the Japanese steamship Kaku
Maru in 1932, and for clearing the propeller of USS Bittern
(AM-36) at sea in 1933.
This page features all our images of William Badders.
Photo #: NH 57892
Chief Machinist's Mate William Badders, USN
Photographed on 19 January 1940, just after being presented with
the Medal of Honor for heroism during rescue and salvage operations
on USS Squalus (SS-192), following her accidental sinking
on 23 May 1939.
He was Senior Member of the rescue chamber crew during the rescue
of Squalus survivors on 24-25 May 1939 and served as a
diver during the salvage effort.
Among his other medals are (from left): the Navy Cross, awarded
for service during the salvage of USS S-51 in 1926; the
World War I Victory Medal; and a Yangtse River Patrol Service
Medal.
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the
Naval Historical Center.
Online Image: 83KB; 575 x 765 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 57891
Chief Machinist's Mate William Badders, USN
Photographed on 19 January 1940, just after being presented with
the Medal of Honor for heroism during rescue and salvage operations
on USS Squalus (SS-192), following her accidental sinking
on 23 May 1939.
He was Senior Member of the rescue chamber crew during the rescue
of Squalus survivors on 24-25 May 1939 and served as a
diver during the salvage effort.
Among his other medals are (from left): the Navy Cross, awarded
for service during the salvage of USS S-51 in 1926; the
World War I Victory Medal; and a Yangtse River Patrol Service
Medal.
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the
Naval Historical Center.
Online Image: 77KB; 570 x 765 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 57887
USS Squalus (SS-192) Rescue and Salvage Operations, 1939
Secretary of the Navy Charles Edison presents Medals of Honor
to four men for heroism during rescue and salvage operations
following the accidental sinking of Squalus on 23 May
1939. The ceremonies took place at the Navy Department on 19
January 1940.
The men are (from left to right):
Chief Machinist's Mate William Badders;
Chief Torpedoman John Mihalowski;
Chief Boatswain's Mate Orson L. Crandall; and
Chief Metalsmith James Harper McDonald.
All were qualified as Divers. The Diver's distinguishing mark
is visible on the Mihalowski's and Crandall's jacket sleeves.
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the
Naval Historical Center.
Online Image: 102KB; 740 x 615 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 57888
USS Squalus (SS-192) Rescue and Salvage Operations, 1939
Secretary of the Navy Charles Edison congratulates four heros
of the Squalus rescue and salvage operations after presenting
them with Medals of Honor during ceremonies at the Navy Department
on 19 January 1940.
The four men, all qualified as Divers, are (from left to right):
Chief Machinist's Mate William Badders;
Chief Torpedoman John Mihalowski;
Chief Boatswain's Mate Orson L. Crandall; and
Chief Metalsmith James Harper McDonald.
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the
Naval Historical Center.
Online Image: 103KB; 740 x 615 pixels |
 |