William Badders

Infobox Military Person
name=William Badders
born= birth date|1900|9|15
died= death date and age|1986|11|23|1900|9|15
placeofbirth=Harrisburg, Illinois
placeofdeath=
placeofburial=


caption=Chief Machinist's Mate William Badders, 19 January 1940
nickname=
allegiance= United States of America
branch=United States Navy
serviceyears=1918 - 1919 (Naval Reserve) 1919 - 1940 (regular Navy)
rank=Chief Machinist's Mate
commands=
unit=
battles=
awards=Medal of Honor Navy Cross World War I Victory Medal Yangtse River Patrol Service Medal
laterwork=

William Badders (15 September 1900 - 23 November 1986) was a diver in the United States Navy and a recipient of America's highest military decoration - the Medal of Honor.

Biography

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.

Chief Machinist's Mate Badders was awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism during the rescue of survivors of USS "Squalus" (SS-192) and subsequent salvage of that submarine in 1939. He was Senior Member of the rescue chamber crew and served as a diver during the salvage effort. He transferred to the Fleet Reserve in March 1940.

William Badders died on 23 November 1986 and was buried in the San Francisco National Cemetery in San Francisco, California.

Medal of Honor citation

William Badders' official Navy Medal of Honor citation is as follows:

For extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession during the rescue and salvage operations following the sinking of the U.S.S. Squalus on 23 May 1939. During the rescue operations, BADDERS, as senior member of the rescue chamber crew, made the last extremely hazardous trip of the rescue chamber to attempt to rescue any possible survivors in the flooded after portion of the Squalus. He was fully aware of the great danger involved in that if he and his assistant became incapacitated, there was no way in which either could be rescued. During the salvage operations, BADDERS made important and difficult dives under the most hazardous conditions. His outstanding performance of duty contributed much to the success of the operations and characterizes conduct far above and beyond the ordinary call of duty.

ee also

*List of Medal of Honor recipients
*List of Medal of Honor recipients during Peacetime

References

*cite web
last = Naval Historical Center
title = U.S. People - Badders, William
work = Online Library
date = 2000-07-07
url = http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/pers-us/uspers-b/w-baddrs.htm
accessdate = 2006-08-03
*findagrave|7416087 Retrieved on 2007-10-23

Persondata
NAME= Badders, William
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION= United States Navy Medal of Honor recipient
DATE OF BIRTH=
PLACE OF BIRTH=
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=