Samuel Triplett

Samuel S. Triplett (December 18, 1869 – August 26, 1957) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Spanish–American War.

Samuel S. Triplett
Samuel Triplett
Born	(1869-12-18)December 18, 1869 Cherokee, Kansas, US
Died	August 26, 1957(1957-08-26) (aged 87)
Place of burial	North Edna Cemetery, Edna, Kansas, US
Allegiance	United States
Branch	United States Navy
Rank	Chief Boatswain's Mate
Unit	USS Marblehead
Battles / wars	Spanish–American War
Awards	Medal of Honor

Biography

Triplett entered the Navy from the state of New York and, during the Spanish–American War, served as an Ordinary Seaman on the USS Marblehead. On July 26, and July 27, 1898, he took part in a demining operation in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He was awarded the Medal of Honor five months later, on December 14, 1898, for his actions during the operation.

Triplett reached the rank of Chief Boatswain's Mate before leaving the Navy. He was a member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

He died at age 87 and is buried in North Edna Cemetery, Edna, Kansas.

Awards

• Medal of Honor
• Good Conduct Medal
• Sampson Medal
• Spanish Campaign Medal
• World War I Victory Medal

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Ordinary Seaman, U.S. Navy. Born: December 18, 1869, Chenokeeke, Kans. Accredited to: New York. G.O. No.: 500, December 14, 1898.

Citation:

On board the U.S.S. Marblehead at the approaches to Caimanera, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, 26 and 27 July 1898. Displaying heroism, Triplett took part in the perilous work of sweeping for and disabling 27 contact mines during this period.^[1]

Medals

See also

• Biography portal

• List of Medal of Honor recipients
• List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Spanish–American War