Medal of Honor: Walter Atlee Edwards – Peacetime Heroism – December 16, 1922

Name: Walter Atlee Edwards
Rank: Lieutenant Commander
Organization: U.S. Navy
Unit: Commanding Officer, U.S.S. Bainbridge (DD-246)
Place and Date: Sea of Marmora, near Turkey – 16 December 1922
Entered Service At: Pennsylvania
Born: November 8, 1886 – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Departed: Survived
Accredited To: Pennsylvania

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Summary of Action

On December 16, 1922, while operating in the Sea of Marmora, the French military transport Vinh-Long was engulfed by a catastrophic fire and rocked by violent explosions. Hundreds of men, women, and children were trapped aboard the burning vessel with little hope of escape.

Lieutenant Commander Walter A. Edwards, commanding the U.S.S. Bainbridge, immediately brought his destroyer alongside the blazing transport. Despite the extreme danger posed by intense heat, spreading flames, and repeated explosions threatening both ships, Edwards skillfully maneuvered and held his vessel in position at the transport’s bow.

Maintaining extraordinary calm under life-threatening conditions, he directed rescue operations as survivors leapt or were carried aboard. Even as explosions continued to tear through the Vinh-Long, Edwards refused to withdraw, keeping the Bainbridge alongside until it was certain that all living passengers had been removed.

Of the 495 people aboard the doomed transport, 482 were rescued. Edwards’ cool judgment, expert seamanship, and unwavering resolve saved hundreds of lives and transformed a maritime catastrophe into one of the greatest rescue operations in naval history.

His actions reflected heroism of the highest order and brought great credit upon the United States Navy.

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Medal of Honor Citation

For heroism in rescuing 482 men, women and children from the French military transport Vinh-Long, destroyed by fire in the Sea of Marmora, Turkey, on 16 December 1922. Lt. Comdr. Edwards, commanding the U.S.S. Bainbridge, placed his vessel alongside the bow of the transport and, in spite of several violent explosions which occurred on the burning vessel, maintained his ship in that position until all who were alive were taken on board. Of a total of 495 on board, 482 were rescued by his coolness, judgment and professional skill, which were combined with a degree of heroism that must reflect new glory on the U.S. Navy.