The Norwich High School (NHS) Hall of Distinction Committee has selected six NHS alumni to be included in the Hall of Distinction. Individuals selected have made outstanding contributions to their chosen fields, including community services, the arts, medical professions, military service, and more, with their contributions having a distinctive impact on a local to global level.

Rear Admiral Charles Conway Hartigan, Congressional Medal of Honor

By Ed Erickson

Community Historian

You probably don’t know that the second highest mountain in Antarctica was named after a graduate of Norwich High School, who also won the Medal of Honor. Charles Conway Hartigan was born in Middletown, New York on September 13, 1882, and raised in Norwich, New York. He grew up at 26 Hayes Street and graduated from Norwich High School in 1901. Hartigan was president of his class and concentrated in English and French.

He graduated from the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, MD in 1906 and earned the nickname “Happy.” Hartigan was promoted to lieutenant on July 1, 1912. From 1913 to 1915, he served aboard the battleship USS South Carolina.

Happy Hartigan was awarded the Medal of Honor during the Mexican Campaign in 1914. His citation reads: “For distinguished conduct in battle, engagement of Vera Cruz, 22 April 1914. During the second day's fighting the service performed by him was eminent and conspicuous. He was conspicuous for the skillful handling of his company under heavy rifle and machine-gun fire, for which conduct he was commended by his battalion commander.” He is the only Norwich resident to be awarded our nation’s highest honor.

During World War I, Hartigan was promoted to lieutenant commander on July 1, 1917, and he survived the torpedoing of the destroyer USS Cassin in October. After the armistice, he commanded the USS Cassin from January to April 1919, and he was permanently promoted to commander on December 31, 1921.

From 1929 to 1932, Hartigan served as naval attaché in Peking, China. He was promoted to captain on June 4, 1931. Hartigan was given command of the hospital ship USS Relief from August 1932 to June 1934. He attended the Naval War College before serving as captain of the battleship USS Oklahoma.

While in the US Navy Hartigan became good friends with the famous Antarctic explorer Admiral Richard Byrd. During Admiral Byrd’s famous third expedition in Antarctica, Byrd named a 9,236-foot rock edifice in the Executive Committee Range in honor of his dear friend – Mount Hartigan – on December 15, 1940.

Hartigan retired from active duty on June 30, 1941, and was promoted to rear admiral on the retired list. After retirement, he continued to work at the Navy Department in Washington, D.C., until he suffered a heart attack on December 7, 1941.

Hartigan suffered from ill health for the remainder of his life. In October 1943, he traveled to Palo Alto, California to aid his recuperation. He died there on February 25, 1944, and he was buried in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors on March 2, 1944.

Charles will be inducted into the Norwich High School Hall of Distinction on October 24, at 1 p.m. in the Norwich High School Library. The event is open to the public.

The NHS Hall of Distinction Committee aims to recognize and commemorate alumni of Norwich high schools who have made outstanding contributions in the areas of, but not limited to, profession, community service, commerce, religion, and art. Established in 2024, this Hall of Distinction is intended to serve as a vision and source of pride for our community and student body.

To nominate an NHS alum for the Hall of Distinction, complete the nomination form found at norwichcsd.org/documents/district/211781 and submit to NCSD Event Coordinator Rich Turnbull at rturnbull@norwichcsd.org, or drop it off at the District Office at 89 Midland Drive.