Awards

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the

Medal of Honor

to Chief Machinist's Mate William Badders, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as a Diver with the Submarine and Rescue Salvage Unit, U.S.S. Falcon, during the rescue and salvage operations following the sinking of the U.S.S. Squalus on 13 May 1939. During the rescue operations, Chief Machinist's Mate 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, Chief Machinist's Mate 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.

Action Date: 23-May-39

Service: Navy

Rank: Chief Machinist's Mate

Company: Submarine and Rescue Salvage Unit

Division: U.S.S. Falcon (ASR-2)

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the

Navy Cross

to Engineman First Class William Badders, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty as a Diver, on the occasion of the salvaging of the U.S.S. S-51, from 16 October 1925 to 8 July 1926. Engineman First Class Badders actions during this operation were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Action Date: October 16, 1925 - July 8, 1926

Service: Navy

Rank: Engineman First Class

Company: Diver

Regiment: Submarine and Rescue Salvage Unit

Division: U.S.S. Falcon (ASR-2)

US Navy Peacetime Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. He served as a Chief machinist's Mate Master Diver, US Navy. At Portsmouth, New Hampshire, on May 23, 1939, the submarine USS Squalus (SS-192), was beginning a test dive when the engine rooms began to flood trapping the ship and crew on the bottom 243 feet deep. For the rescue operations, Chief Badders was placed in charge as senior member of the rescue chamber crew. He made important and difficult dives under the most hazardous conditions retrieving survivors and then dove until it was determined that no more crewmen remained alive on board the ship. For conduct far above and beyond the ordinary call of duty, he was awarded the Medal of Honor in January 1940. He also served in World War I, World War II and is a recipient of the Navy Cross Medal.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Aug 26 2021, 19:39:54 UTC

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• U.S., Veterans' Gravesites, ca.1775-2019
• Name: William Badders
• Death Age: 86
• Birth Date: 15 Sep 1900
• Service Start Date: 13 Aug 1918
• Service End Date: 13 Aug 1948
• Death Date: 23 Nov 1986
• Interment Date: 10 Dec 1986
• Interment Place: California, USA
• Cemetery Address: 1 Lincoln Blvd Presidio of San Francisco San Francisco, CA 94129
• Cemetery: San Francisco National Cemetery
• Plot: Section A Site 788-A
• Notes: Cmm Us Navy World War I, World War Ii

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