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Hospital Apprentice First Class William Zuiderveld

Date of Award: August 9, 1914
Conflict: Occupation of Veracruz
Branch: U.S. Navy

Hospital Apprentice First Class William Zuiderveld portraitHospital Apprentice William Zuiderveld served onboard the battleship U.S.S. Florida during the seizure of Vera Cruz, Mexico, on April, 21, 1914. Five volunteers were advancing between the customs house and a warehouse when one of them was shot in the head. Zuiderveld heard the call for help and immediately rushed up a narrow alley, exposing himself to enemy fire. Unaided and under heavy fire, he helped the seriously wounded man, bandaging his head to stop the bleeding.

Citation: “While serving on board USS FLORIDA, Hospital Apprentice Zuiderveld showed extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession during the seizure of Vera Cruz, Mexico.”

Last Updated: September 22, 2022
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