Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Medal of Honor

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Landsman

    Division:

    U.S.S. Lehigh

    Action Date:

    November 16, 1863

    War Department, General Orders No. 32 (April 16, 1864)

    The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Landsman Frank S. Gile, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving on board the U.S.S. Lehigh, Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, 16 November 1863, during the hazardous task of freeing the Lehigh, which had been grounded, and was under heavy enemy fire from Fort Moultrie. After several previous attempts had been made, Landsman Gile succeeded in passing in a small boat from the Lehigh to the Nahant with a line bent on a hawser. This courageous action while under severe enemy fire enabled the Lehigh to be freed from her helpless position.