Edward A. Gisburne

Edward Allen Gisburne was born June 14, 1892, Providence, RI, but attended school in Quincy, MA. His family had served in the Navy for six generations, since the Civil War. Orphaned at age 5, he lived with his paternal grandparents and pursued an interest in electricity and radio technology.

In early 1914, as chief radio operator aboard the USS Florida when it arrived in Veracruz, Mexico, as a result of the Tampico Affair, Gisburne was part of the landing party. He established a communications station on the roof of the Terminal Hotel, which soon came under fire. Private Daniel A. Haggerty of Cambridge, MA, part of a rifle squad sent to protect the position, was shot and hanging partially off of the roof. Gisburne, though wounded in the legs, crawled through heavy fire to reach Haggerty and pull him onto the roof. He dragged the unconscious Haggerty to shelter before passing out and was later found with Haggerty dead in his arms.

He lost his leg as a result of injuries and was discharged from the Navy on August 17.

Citation: On board the U.S.S. Florida during the seizure of Vera Cruz, Mexico, 21 and 22 April 1914, and for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession during this action.