William S. Cronan

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William S. Cronan (October 23, 1883 – October 22, 1959) was a United States Navy sailor who earned the Medal of Honor for heroism during a peacetime disaster. Born in Chicago, Cronan served as a boatswain’s mate aboard the USS Bennington (PG-4). On July 21, 1905, a boiler exploded on the Bennington in San Diego, killing many and wounding others. Despite being wounded, Cronan saved three shipmates from drowning and helped others reach safety. He received the Medal of Honor from President Theodore Roosevelt on January 5, 1906.

Cronan continued to serve in the Navy, rising through the ranks. He was promoted to warrant officer gunner in 1909 and to chief gunner in 1915. During World War I he was temporarily commissioned as a lieutenant (junior grade) before returning to the rank of chief gunner after the war. In World War II he was promoted to lieutenant in 1942 and then to lieutenant commander in 1944, retiring in 1946 with nearly 45 years of service. He died in 1959 and is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California.