Antonio Williams (seaman)

Antonio Williams (c. 1825–1908) was a seaman first class serving in the United States Navy who received the Medal of Honor for bravery.

Biography
Williams was born in 1825 in Malta and after emigrating to the United States he joined the United States Navy.

He was stationed on the USS Huron (1875) when it departed Hampton Roads, Virginia, 23 November 1877, and proceeded to Cuba on a scientific cruise. At approximately 1:00 a.m. on 24 November, near Nags Head, North Carolina, the Huron encountered heavy weather and wrecked. Initially the crew attempted to free the vessel but the ship heeled over killing 98 of the crew. For his actions Williams received the Medal of Honor in 1879.

Williams married an English woman and retired to the city of Bristol, England. He died on 22 July 1908 and is buried in Greenbank Cemetery, Bristol.



Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Seaman, U.S. Navy. Born: 1825, Malta.

Citation:

"For courage and fidelity displayed in the loss of the U.S.S. Huron, 24 November 1877."