William Zuiderveld was born on 24 January 1888 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. At the time of action he was a Hospital Apprentice First Class, USN. His citation reads, “ On board the USS Florida, Zuiderveld showed extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession during the seizure of Vera Cruz, Mexico, 21 April 1914.”William Zuiderveld retired as a Lieutenant in the Hospital Corps on 31 August 1945. He died on 5 February 1978 and is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, CA (Section A-I, Grave 9b).
His Medal of Honor and uniform are on permanent display at The Michigan’s Own Military and Space Museum in Frankenmuth, MI.
