b. 20/12/1840 Boston, Massachusetts. d. 12/10/1884 Worcester, Massachusetts.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 22/09/1873 off the coast of Greenland.
George R Willis MOH
Willis enlisted in the Navy from his birth state of Massachusetts and served as a coxswain aboard the USS Tigress (1871) during the search for the missing exploration ship Polaris. When an Arctic gale struck Tigress off the coast of Greenland on the night of September 22, 1873, Willis volunteered to single-handedly furl (lower, roll up and secure) the loose fore topgallant sail, an act which prevented damage to the ship. For his conduct on that occasion, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.
MOH CITATION:
Serving on board the U.S.S. Tigress, Willis displayed gallant and meritorious conduct on the night of 22 September 1873 off the coast of Greenland.
BURIAL LOCATION: OAK GROVE CEMETERY, MEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS.
LOT 339, GRAVE 10.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.
