b. 12/10/1871 Belfast, Maine. d. 01/09/1937 Hingham, Massachusetts.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 11/05/1898 Cienfuegos, Cuba.
Herbert L Foss MOH
Foss joined in the United States Navy in January, 1897. He served as a seaman on the light cruiser USS Marblehead. On May 11, 1898, during combat off the northwest coast of Cuba, the crew of the USS Marblehead pulled the main communications cable over the bow of their boat. Despite being under heavy fire, they severed the cable. Foss finished the job with a hacksaw. The crew suffered many casualties, however they accomplished their mission of disrupting communications between Cuba and Spain.
After the war Foss moved to Hingham, Massachusetts and found work at an ammunition depot. He was a member of the United Spanish War Veterans. He became the superintendent of the Fort Hill Cemetery and on September 1, 1937, while working at the cemetery, Foss died of heart disease.
MOH CITATION:
On board the U.S.S. Marblehead during the operation of cutting the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, Foss set an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this action.
BURIAL LOCATION: FORT HILL CEMETERY, HINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS.
SECTION 13, LOT 75, GRAVE 2
LOCATION OF MEDAL: TOWN OF HINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS.
