1908 Medal of Honor

This is the 1908 Medal of Honor awarded to Oscar Frederick Nelson who served in the Navy as Machinist's Mate First Class aboard the USS Bennington. On July 21, 1905 two boilers burst on the ship while docked in San Diego Bay. Nelson rescued many of his shipmates before the USS Bennington sank. For his heroic duties he was rewarded with the rare peace time Medal of Honor.

Gift of Canal Park Marine Museum

Accession Number 99.57.1

From the Peacetime collection