Alphonse Girandy

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Alphonse Girandy
January 21, 1868(1868-01-21) – April 3, 1941 (aged 73)
Place of birth	Guadaloupe
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Navy
Rank	Seaman
Unit	USS Petrel (PG-2)
Awards	Medal of Honor

Alphonse Girandy (January 21, 1868 – April 3, 1941) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of America's highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor.

1 Biography
2 Medal of Honor citation
3 See also
4 References

[edit] Biography

Girandy, of Pennsylvania, joined the Navy and served during the Spanish-American War in 1898. On March 31, 1901, he was working as a Seaman on the USS Petrel (PG-2) when a fire broke out on the ship. For his actions on that occasion, Seaman Girandy was awarded the Medal of Honor one year later, on March 22, 1902. His official Medal of Honor citation reads: "Serving on board the U.S.S. Petrel, for heroism and gallantry, fearlessly exposing his own life to danger for the saving of others, on the occasion of the fire on board that vessel, 31 March 1901." He continued to serve in the Navy into World War I.

Girandy died at age 73 and was buried in Philadelphia National Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

[edit] Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Seaman, U.S. Navy. Born: 21 January 1868, Guadaloupe, West Indies. Accredited to: Pennsylvania. G.O. No.: 85, 22 March 1902.

Citation:

Serving on board the U.S.S. Petrel, for heroism and gallantry, fearlessly exposing his own life to danger for the saving of others, on the occasion of the fire on board that vessel, 31 March 1901.