Medal of Honor: William Russel Huber - Peacetime Heroism - June 11, 1928
When a boiler accident filled a destroyer’s engine room with scalding steam, one machinist’s mate rushed into the deadly compartment. He saved a trapped shipmate, then tried to go back for others despite severe burns.
June 11, 2026
Name: William Russel Huber
Rank: Machinist’s Mate
Branch: U.S. Navy
Date of Action: June 11, 1928
Location: USS Bruce, Naval Shipyard, Norfolk, Virginia
Summary of Action
On 11 June 1928, while USS Bruce was moored at the Naval Shipyard in Norfolk, Virginia, a devastating boiler accident suddenly filled one of the ship’s firerooms with superheated steam, creating an environment deadly to anyone trapped inside.
The accident placed members of the engineering crew in immediate mortal danger.
Upon realizing what had happened, Machinist’s Mate William Russel Huber reacted without hesitation.
With complete disregard for his own safety, he entered the steam-filled fireroom despite the extreme temperatures and near-zero visibility, knowing that every second counted for the men trapped within.
Working under conditions that threatened his own life, Huber located Charles H. Byran and, through extraordinary physical effort, carried him out of the compartment and into safety.
The rescue came at tremendous personal cost.
Huber suffered severe and dangerous burns to his arms and neck while making the attempt.
Even after escaping the deadly environment and sustaining painful injuries, he was not content to remain outside.
Determined to help anyone who might still be alive inside the compartment, he descended again with the intention of rendering further assistance.
His courage, determination, and complete disregard for personal safety exemplified the finest traditions of the United States Navy and earned him the Medal of Honor for heroism in peacetime.
Medal of Honor Citation
HUBER, WILLIAM RUSSEL
Rank and organization: Machinist’s Mate, U.S. Navy.
Place and date: Aboard USS Bruce, at the Naval Shipyard, Norfolk, Virginia, 11 June 1928.
Entered service at: Pennsylvania.
Birth: Harrisburg, Pa.
Citation:
For display of extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession on 11 June 1928, after a boiler accident on USS Bruce, then at the Naval Shipyard, Norfolk, Va. Immediately on becoming aware of the accident, Huber without hesitation and in complete disregard of his own safety entered the steam-filled fireroom and, at grave risk to his life, succeeded by almost superhuman efforts in carrying Charles H. Byran to safety. Although having received severe and dangerous burns about the arms and neck, he descended with a view toward rendering further assistance. The great courage, grit, and determination displayed by Huber on this occasion characterized conduct far above and beyond the call of duty.
