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Photo # NH 79943:  Coxswain George Willis

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --

George Willis, USN, (1839-????)

George Willis was born in 1839 at Boston, Massachusetts. He enlisted in the US Navy from that state and served in USS Tigress during the search for the missing exploration ship Polaris. When an Arctic gale struck Tigress off Greenland on the night of 22 September 1873, Willis' expert seamanship probably saved his ship. For his "gallant and meritorious conduct" on that occasion, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.

This page features the only image we have concerning George Willis.


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Photo #: NH 79943

Coxswain George Willis


Halftone reproduction of an artwork, published in "Deeds of Valor," Volume II, page 96, by the Perrien-Keydel Company, Detroit, 1907. It depicts him furling the loose fore topgallant sail of USS Tigress during a heavy Arctic gale on 22 September 1873, during the search for the missing exploration ship Polaris. Coxwain Willis received the Medal of Honor for his "gallant and meritorious conduct" on this occasion.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.

Online Image: 75KB; 740 x 615 pixels

 



Medal of Honor citation of Coxswain George Willis (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 69):

"Serving on board the U.S.S. Tigress, WILLIS displayed gallant and meritorious conduct on the night of 22 September 1873, off the coast of Greenland."


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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Page made 1 May 2006