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Navy Federal Credit Union

(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Motor Machinist’s Mate Third Class William E. Seamon, United States Coast Guard, was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for heroism on 26 January 1944, while attached to U.S.S. LST 16 during the amphibious invasion of Anzio, Italy. During a full gale with extremely heavy seas, he volunteered as a member of a boat crew to do to the side of the burning HMS LST 422 in an effort to rescue personnel trapped below decks. Without hesitation he assisted in taking the small boat through a heavily mined area alongside the blazing ship. Despite the fact that the HMS LST 422 was pitching and rolling in a dangerous manner and ammunition was exploding, he aided in effecting the rescue of a soldier, trapped in a lower compartment of the ship, by removing him through a hole in the side of the ship and bringing him safely to the U.S.S. LST 16.

Awards Received

  • Navy and Marine Corps Medal

  • Navy and Marine Corps Medal

    Service:

    United States Coast Guard

    Rank:

    Motor Machinist’s Mate Third Class

    Division:

    U.S.S. LST 16

    Action Date:

    January 26, 1944
    U.S. Coast Guard Historian’s Office

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Motor Machinist’s Mate Third Class William Ellsworth Seamon, United States Coast Guard, for heroism on 26 January 1944, while attached to U.S.S. LST 16 during the amphibious invasion of Anzio, Italy. During a full gale with extremely heavy seas, he volunteered as a member of a boat crew to do to the side of the burning HMS LST 422 in an effort to rescue personnel trapped below decks. Without hesitation he assisted in taking the small boat through a heavily mined area alongside the blazing ship. Despite the fact that the HMS LST 422 was pitching and rolling in a dangerous manner and ammunition was exploding, he aided in effecting the rescue of a soldier, trapped in a lower compartment of the ship, by removing him through a hole in the side of the ship and bringing him safely to the U.S.S. LST 16.