Medal of Honor: Edwin Joseph Hill – World War II – December 7, 1941
Under fire at Pearl Harbor, one boatswain led his men through strafing attacks to cast off USS Nevada’s lines — then swam back to his ship and died on the forecastle attempting to anchor her during the desperate fight to save the battleship.
December 9, 2025
Name: Edwin Joseph Hill
Rank: Chief Boatswain
Organization: U.S. Navy
Unit: USS Nevada (BB-36)
Place and Date: Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Territory of Hawaii – 7 December 1941
Entered Service At: Pennsylvania
Born: October 4, 1894 – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Departed: December 7, 1941 (Killed in Action)
Accredited To: Pennsylvania
Summary of Action
As Japanese aircraft swept into Pearl Harbor on the morning of December 7, 1941, Chief Boatswain Edwin J. Hill was responsible for the line-handling crews aboard USS Nevada. During the height of strafing and bombing attacks, Hill led his men ashore to the quay, exposing himself to the full fury of the attack to cast off the ship’s lines so Nevada could get underway — the only battleship to do so that day.
Once the lines were free and his men safely aboard, Hill dove into the harbor and swam back through burning debris and enemy fire to reach his ship. Climbing onto the forecastle, he took charge of attempts to anchor Nevada after she came under massive attack while trying to escape Battleship Row.
As he worked to let go the anchors during the climactic bombing run that halted the ship, a series of near-simultaneous explosions struck the bow. He was blown overboard and killed instantly.
Chief Boatswain Hill’s courage enabled Nevada to move, saving countless lives and preventing her from sinking in the channel — a sacrifice remembered throughout the fleet.
Medal of Honor Citation
