William Ward Burrows II


Lieutenant William Ward Burrows II was an officer in the United States Navy during the First Barbary War and the War of 1812. His father, William Ward Burrows I, was the second Commandant of the Marine Corps.
Burrows was born in Philadelphia, and appointed a Midshipman in 1799. He distinguished himself at Tripoli onboard Constitution. Lieutenant Burrows died while in command of the brig USS Enterprise as a result of wounds received during the engagement with the British brig HMS Boxer. He was buried at Eastern Cemetery in Portland, Maine, next to the slain commander of Boxer, Samuel Blyth. His tablet notes that it was "erected by a passing stranger." For Burrows' actions, he was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.
Three ships in the United States Navy have been named USS Burrows for him.

Congressional Gold Medal citation