Herbert L Foss

On episode three hundred and seventy-three, the story of Herbert L Foss is told. All stories in January and February will be recipients from the Spanish-American War. Check out new swag available where 50% of profits get donated to the Medal of Honor Museum: https://bit.ly/TOHswag Be sure to visit our website for more information as the show goes on at: www.talesofhonorpodcast.com.

Herbert was born on the 12th of October, 1871, in Belfast, Maine, and he joined the US Navy in January of 1897 at the age of 25. One year later, he was a Seaman off the Northwest coast of Cuba in support of the Spanish-American War and it was his actions with a hacksaw that would earn him the Medal of Honor. The citation reads:

On board the U.S.S. Marblehead during the operation of cutting the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, Foss set an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this action.

Herbert received the Medal of Honor on the 7th of July, 1899 and moved to Massachusetts after being discharged from the Navy. He was married to Harriet and he worked in the Naval Ammunition Depot in Hingham, as well as being a member of the United Spanish War Veterans organization, which consisted of veterans of the Spanish-American War, the Philippine-American War, and the Boxer Rebellion. Herbert Louis Foss died on the 1st of September, 1937 at the age of 65 while he was working as the superintendent of the Fort Hill Cemetery. He and his wife are buried there in Hingham, Massachusetts: Section 13, Lot 75.