Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Medal of Honor

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Landsman, Engineer’s Force

    Division:

    U.S.S. Jean Sands

    Action Date:

    June 15, 1880

    War Department, General Orders No. 326 (October 18, 1884)

    The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Landsman, Engineer’s Force William Sweeney, United States Navy, for gallant and heroic conduct in jumping overboard from the U.S.S. Jean Sands, opposite the Navy Yard, Norfolk, Virginia on the night of 15 June 1880, and rescuing from drowning a young girl who had fallen overboard.