Putnam Man’s Heroism Could Inspire Nuclear Submarine Name
PUTNAM, Conn. (WTNH) – A century after his valorous act, the legacy of Torpedoman 2nd Class Henry Breault may be enshrined through the naming of a Virginia-class nuclear submarine in his honor. Breault, awarded the Medal of Honor in 1924 by President Calvin Coolidge, is renowned as the only submariner to have received this prestigious accolade.
Ryan C. Walker, director of the USS Henry Breault Association, has initiated a petition advocating for the submarine to carry Breault’s name, garnering over 1,750 signatures thus far. Walker praised Breault’s exceptional bravery during a perilous incident on the USS O-5 in 1923 when the submarine was struck by another vessel and sank within a minute. Instead of saving himself, Breault returned to the torpedo room to rescue a trapped shipmate, enduring 31 harrowing hours until a salvage team could rescue them.
Born on October 14, 1900, in Putnam, Breault’s life took a tragic turn when he died on December 7, 1941. Although he reportedly continued to serve in the Navy after the ordeal, he passed away young, just before the attack on Pearl Harbor, inadvertently leading to his story being overshadowed for decades.
As discussions around naming submarines evolve—historically dedicated to states and military figures—there is a renewed focus on honoring Medal of Honor recipients like Breault, which Walker believes could also aid in military recruitment. Local efforts include a footbridge named for Breault in Putnam and his inclusion in the curriculum of the Naval Submarine School.
Despite the lack of personal artifacts and fading awareness of his achievements, Walker remains hopeful that a submarine named after Breault will spur interest in preserving his legacy.
Source
Photo credit www.wtnh.com
