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Photo # NH 89419:  GMC Thomas Eadie receives the Medal of Honor, January 1928

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --

Lieutenant Thomas Eadie, USN (1887-1974)

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 (SS-162) and S-4 (SS-109), 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.

This page features all the images we have concerning Thomas Eadie.


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: NH 89419

Chief Gunner's Mate Thomas Eadie, USN


Wearing the Medal of Honor, which had just been presented by President Calvin Coolidge in ceremonies at the White House, January 1928. He received the medal for heroism in rescuing another man during diving operations on USS S-4 (SS-109) on 18 December 1927.
Among his other medals are the Navy Cross and the World War I Victory Medal.
Standing behind him are Secretary of the Navy Curtis Wilbur (left) and Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Charles F. Hughes.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 68KB; 545 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 50651

Chief Gunner's Mate Thomas Eadie, USN


Wearing the Medal of Honor, which had just been presented by President Calvin Coolidge in ceremonies at the White House, January 1928. He received the medal for heroism in rescuing another man during diving operations on USS S-4 (SS-109) on 18 December 1927.
Standing behind him are Secretary of the Navy Curtis Wilbur (left) and Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Charles F. Hughes.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 92KB; 570 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 103777

Chief Gunner's Mate Thomas Eadie


Standing (center) while President Calvin Coolidge presents the Medal of Honor in ceremonies at the White House, January 1928. He received the medal for heroism in rescuing another man during diving operations on USS S-4 (SS-109) on 18 December 1927.
Among his other medals are the Navy Cross and the World War I Victory Medal.
At left, wearing glasses, is Secretary of the Navy Curtis Wilbur. The Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Charles F. Hughes, is directly behind Chief Eadie.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.

Online Image: 77KB; 740 x 615 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 103778

Chief Gunner's Mate Thomas Eadie


Standing (right center) while President Calvin Coolidge presents the Medal of Honor in ceremonies at the White House, January 1928. He received the medal for heroism in rescuing another man during diving operations on USS S-4 (SS-109) on 18 December 1927.
Among his other medals are the Navy Cross and the World War I Victory Medal.
Secretary of the Navy Curtis Wilbur is in the left center. The Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Charles F. Hughes, is behind Chief Eadie, with only his shoulders and cap visible.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.

Online Image: 66KB; 740 x 615 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 103779

Chief Gunner's Mate Thomas Eadie
(right center)

With President Calvin Coolidge after receiving the Medal of Honor in ceremonies at the White House, January 1928. He received the medal for heroism in rescuing another man during diving operations on USS S-4 (SS-109) on 18 December 1927.
Among his other medals are the Navy Cross and the World War I Victory Medal.
Also present are Secretary of the Navy Curtis Wilbur (at left) and Admiral Charles F. Hughes, the Chief of Naval Operations (right background, with moustache).

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.

Online Image: 69KB; 740 x 615 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 103780

Chief Gunner's Mate Thomas Eadie
(right)

With President Calvin Coolidge after being presented with the Medal of Honor in ceremonies at the White House, January 1928. He received the medal for heroism in rescuing another man during diving operations on USS S-4 (SS-109) on 18 December 1927.
Among his other medals are the Navy Cross and the World War I Victory Medal.
At left is Secretary of the Navy Curtis Wilbur. The Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Charles F. Hughes, is in the right center background.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.

Online Image: 60KB; 740 x 615 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 41836

USS S-4
(SS-109)

"Naval divers who worked hard and faithfully at the difficult task of raising the submarine" (quoted from the original 1928 caption). Probably photographed at the Boston Navy Yard, Charlestown, Massachusetts, circa 19-20 March 1928, shortly after the salvaged S-4 entered dry dock there.
Those present are identified in the original caption as (standing, left to right): Michaels, Eadie, Wilson, Carr and Eissn. (Kneeling, left to right): Grilley, Mattox and Doherty.
"Michaels" may be Chief Torpedoman Michels. "Eadie" is Chief Gunner's Mate Thomas Eadie, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for rescuing Michels during the salvage work. "Grilley" is probably Ensign Frank W. Crilley.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 109KB; 740 x 600 pixels

 



Medal of Honor citation of Chief Gunner's Mate Thomas Eadie (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 130):

"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."

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Navy Cross citation of Chief Gunner's Mate Thomas Eadie (as included with a World War II biographical submission):

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

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Citation for a Gold Star, in lieu of a second Navy Cross, for Chief Gunner's Mate Thomas Eadie (as included with a World War II biographical submission):

"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."


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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Page made 7 July 2000
New images added 1 May 2006