Samuel S. Triplett

Chief Boatswain's Mate, U.S. Navy

Medal of Honor Recipient

Spanish-American War

Chief Boatswain's Mate Samuel S. Triplett (18 December 1869 - 26 August 1957) was a U.S. Navy sailor who received the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his heroic actions during the Spanish-American War.

Samuel S. Triplett was born in Cherokee, KS, on 18 December 1869 and entered the Navy from the state of New York during the Spanish-American War, served on the USS Marblehead. On 26 and 27 July 1898, he took part in a demining operation in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Triplett reached the rank of Chief Boatswain's Mate before leaving the Navy.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: Ordinary Seaman, U.S. Navy

Citation: On board the USS Marblehead at the approaches to Caimanera, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, 26 and 27 July 1898. Displaying heroism, Triplett took part in the perilous work of sweeping for and disabling 27 contact mines during this period.

Death and Burial

Chief Boatswain's Mate Samuel S. Triplett died on 26 August 1957 at age 87. He is buried at Elm Grove Cemetery in Edna, KS.