Charles J. Gidding | |
|---|---|
| Born | c. 1853 |
| Died | November 28, 1943(1943-11-28) (aged 89–90)[1] |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Navy |
| Rank | Seaman |
| Unit | USS Plymouth |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
Charles J. Gidding orGiddings (1853–1943)[1] was aUnited States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, theMedal of Honor.
Born in about 1853 inBangor, Maine, Gidding joined the Navy from that state.[2] By July 26, 1876, he was serving as aseaman on theUSS Plymouth. On that day, whilePlymouth was at theBrooklyn Navy Yard, Gidding and another sailor, LandsmanWilliam Corey, attempted to rescue a crewmate Seaman named Matthew Francis who had fallen from the ship'srigging into the water. For this action, both men were awarded the Medal of Honor two weeks later, on August 9. Another ofPlymouth's crew, SeamanThomas Kersey, rescued a shipmate from drowning on the same day and also received the medal.[3]
Gidding's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
Serving on board the U.S.S.Plymouth, Gidding showed heroic conduct in trying to save the life of one of the crew of that ship, who had fallen overboard from aloft at the Navy Yard, New York, 26 July 1876.[2]
Gidding died on Nov 28, 1943 and is buried in Grove Hill Cemetery, Waltham, Massachusetts (Section A, Lot 13.35, Grave 1).[4]
