Letter to the Editor:
A Memorable Henry Breault Day
I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated in and attended the Henry Breault Day ceremony on March 8, 2025, making it an unforgettable tribute. Thanks to your support, March 8 is now officially recognized in our community as the day we honor Putnam’s only Medal of Honor recipient, Torpedoman’s Mate Second Class (TM2) Henry Breault.
On October 28, 1923, TM2 Breault exemplified extraordinary devotion to duty. When his submarine, the USS O-5 (SS-66), began to sink, he heroically reentered the vessel to rescue Chief Electrician’s Mate Lawrence T. Brown, saving his life at great personal risk. His bravery was recognized on March 8, 1924, when President Calvin Coolidge presented him with the Medal of Honor. Breault became the first enlisted submariner—and to this day remains the only enlisted submariner—to receive the Medal of Honor.
Dedicating March 8 to Henry Breault reflects our community’s deep and enduring gratitude for Putnam residents who have committed their lives to military service. It was a privilege to organize this event, and the Henry Breault Association is immensely grateful for the overwhelming support we received.
So, what’s next for Henry Breault’s legacy?
Our ultimate goal is to see one of the Navy’s next Virginia-class submarines named in his honor. A national petition to support this effort is currently available on the American Legion Post #13’s Facebook page, and I urge all Putnam residents to sign it. This petition, combined with broader national initiatives, is paving the way to make this dream a reality.
Thank you again to our incredible community for celebrating Henry Breault’s heroism with us.
Sincerely,
Brian Maynard
Founding Board Member, Henry Breault Association
Past Commander, American Legion Post #13
U.S. Army, 1990–1996
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