Medal of Honor: William Badders - USS Squalus Rescue - May 13, 1939

Name: William Badders
Rank: Chief Machinist’s Mate
Branch: U.S. Navy
Date of Action: May 13, 1939
Location: Atlantic Ocean, during rescue operations following the sinking of USS Squalus

Summary of Action

On 13 May 1939, the submarine USS Squalus sank during a test dive off the New England coast, trapping crewmen deep beneath the sea.

The disaster launched one of the most dangerous submarine rescue operations in naval history.

Chief Machinist’s Mate William Badders became one of the key figures in the effort to save the surviving sailors trapped inside the sunken submarine.

Serving as the senior member of a rescue chamber crew, Badders took part in repeated descents to the wreck resting on the ocean floor.

Each trip carried enormous risk.

The rescue chamber had to descend through dark, frigid waters and dock precisely with the disabled submarine while under crushing pressure.

But the greatest danger came during the final descent.

By that point, rescuers feared there might still be survivors trapped in the flooded aft section of the submarine.

Badders volunteered for the mission fully aware that if he or his assistant became incapacitated underwater, there would be no possibility of rescue.

Despite the danger, he descended anyway.

Later, during the salvage operations, Badders continued working under extraordinarily hazardous conditions, carrying out difficult deep dives critical to the eventual recovery of the submarine.

His courage, technical skill, and unwavering devotion to duty contributed greatly to the success of both the rescue and salvage efforts and reflected the highest traditions of the United States Navy.

Medal of Honor Citation

BADDERS, WILLIAM

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 13 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.