William Ahern

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Watertender William Ahern, United States Navy, for gallant and heroic conduct while serving on board the U.S.S. Puritan at the time of the collapse of one of the crown sheets of Boiler E of that vessel, 1 July 1897. Wrapped in wet cloths to protect his face and arms, Watertender Ahern entered the fireroom, crawled over the tops of the boilers and closed the auxiliary stop valve, disconnecting Boiler E and removing the danger of disabling the other boilers.