Middle initial "B" by chance?

by FOG, Sunday, July 07, 2013, 19:57 (4101 days ago) @ Steve

(From the 'old' board)

Charles
Walter B. Tardy's sword
Tue Dec 1, 2009 23:18
<SNIP ~ IP Address>

In 1994 while walking the floor of a gun show in Deming New Mexico, I saw what I took to be a U.S. Naval Officers sword of some age. A deal was struck and it was mine.

At home, a close inspection showed it was etched and presented to Naval Cadet Walter Benjamin Tardy for exception merit in athletics (1898).

I picked up the phone and called the historian at the United States Naval Academy and she send me a large envelope full of informatin about the gent. He was the Captain of the football team at the Naval Academy in 1898 and this sword was presented to him by what might be called the "boosters club" She send me sevral photos of him, his serviced record and class standings.

Since that time I have poked into this fellows history and as more information came on line, my body of information about WAlter Tardy increased.

Today I found an article about his wedding. He was married in 1902 to Florence Nelson the daughter of Commander Thomas U.S.N, and they were married in the chapel at the Navel Academy in Annapolis. I have been there and it is a truly beautiful building.

The article also said he was the first U.S. Naval Officer to enter Peking at the end of the seige in 1900.

His records show that at that time he was stationed about the Cruiser USS Brooklyn (AC-3) which was the flagship of the Asiatic Squadron and participated in the North China Relief Expedition.

I think there was a strong chance this sword entered Peking on the side of Ensign Walter B Tardy as the eight powers came to the rescue of the folks traped by the Boxers.

Tardy suffered an injury in the Navy was retired to Annapolis in 1919. He died there in 1932 and was survived by his daughter Florence.

I have ran most of the geneological resources looking for family of this man. I would bet some of them would like to have the sword back. [Emphasis Added]

Interesting...

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