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Biography · Military

William Pinckney

1915–1976

United States

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Biography

William Pinckney (April 27, 1915 – July 21, 1976) was a United States Navy sailor who was the second African-American to be awarded the Navy Cross, the second-highest decoration for valor in combat after the Medal of Honor. Pinckney received the medal for saving the life of a fellow crew member on board the USS Enterprise (CV-6) during the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands. The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Pinckney (DDG 91) is named in his honor.

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Biography text · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source checked 2026-10-13

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