Thomas Eadie

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Thomas Eadie (scientist), is also a Canadian scientist
Thomas Eadie
April 8, 1887(1887-04-08) – November 14, 1974 (aged 87)
Thomas Eadie
Chief Gunner's Mate Thomas Eadie, January 1928
Place of birth Scotland
Place of death Brockton, Massachusetts
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Navy
Years of service 1909 – 1939
Rank Lieutenant
Awards Medal of Honor
Navy Cross (2)
World War I Victory Medal

Thomas Eadie (8 April 1887 – 14 November 1974) was a United States Navy diver and a recipient of America's highest military decoration - the Medal of Honor.

Contents

[edit] Biography

Thomas Eadie was born on 8 April 1887 in Scotland. He enlisted in the Navy in 1909, became a Gunner's Mate and was also trained as a diver. While serving as a Chief Gunner's Mate in the 1920s, he assisted in salvage work on the sunken submarines S-51 and S-4, receiving the Navy Cross for each operation, and the Medal of Honor for extraordinary heroism in rescuing a fellow diver on the S-4 on 18 December 1927.

Eadie retired from active duty in 1939, but returned to service during World War II, receiving appointment as Chief Gunner (Warrant Officer). He later became a commissioned officer and retired in the rank of Lieutenant. Thomas Eadie died at Brockton, Massachusetts, on 14 November 1974 and was buried in Island Cemetery, Newport, Rhode Island. His grave can be found in the annex section.

[edit] Award citations

[edit] Medal of Honor citation

The official Medal of Honor citation for Chief Gunner's Mate Thomas Eadie is as follows:

For display of extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession above and beyond the call of duty on 18 December 1927, during the diving operations in connection with the sinking of the U.S.S. S-4 with all on board, as a result of a collision off Provincetown, Mass. On this occasion when MICHELS, Chief Torpedoman, United States Navy, while attempting to connect an air line to the submarine at a depth of 102 feet became seriously fouled, EADIE, under the most adverse diving conditions, deliberately, knowingly and willingly took his own life in his hands by promptly descending to the rescue in response to the desperate need of his companion diver. After two hours of extremely dangerous and heartbreaking work, by his cool, calculating and skillful labors, he succeeded in his mission and brought MICHELS safely to the surface.

[edit] 1st Navy Cross

The official citation for Chief Gunner's Mate Thomas Eadie's first Navy Cross is as follows:

For extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty on the occasion of the salvaging of the U.S.S. S-51.

[edit] 2nd Navy Cross

The official citation for Chief Gunner's Mate Thomas Eadie's second Navy Cross is as follows:

For extraordinary heroism and fearless devotion to duty during the diving operations in connection with the salvage of the U.S.S. S-4 sunk as a result of a collision off Provincetown, Massachusetts, 17 December 1927. During the period, 17 December 1927 to 17 March 1928, on which latter date the ill-fated vessel was raised, Eadie, under the most adverse weather conditions, at the risk of his life, descended many times into the icy waters and displayed throughout that fortitude, skill, determination and courage which characterizes conduct above and beyond the call of duty.

[edit] See also

United States Navy Portal

[edit] Notes

[edit] References

This article includes information collected from the Naval Historical Center, which, as a U.S. government publication, is in the public domain.