US Navy Peacetime Medal of Honor Recipient. He was issued the award on February 4, 1924 for his actions as a lieutenant commander assigned to the US Navy destroyer USS Bainbridge (DD-246) on December 16, 1922 in the Sea of Marmora, Turkey. He graduated from the US Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland in 1906 at the rank of ensign and served on numerous Navy vessels. In 1914 he was stationed at Pensacola, Florida and studied aviation. During World War I, he was the Aide for Aviation on the staff of Vice Admiral William S. Sims, Commander of US Naval Forces Operating in European Waters, and remained in that position for the rest of the war and into the first months of peace. For the next two years, he performed shore duty in Washington DC and the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. In May 1921, he became the Commanding Officer of the destroyer USS Dahlgren (DD-187) and USS Paul Jones (DD-230). Between June 1922 and September 1923, he commanded the destroyer USS Bainbridge (DD-246). In 1923 he performed shore duty at the Bureau of Navigation in Washington DC, followed by a tour as a gunnery officer on the armored cruiser USS Pennsylvania (ACR-4) and commander of the destroyer USS Billingsley (DD-293). In December 1927 he was hospitalized and died a month later at the age of 41. For his heroism on December 16, 1922, he was also awarded the French Legion d'honneur and the British Distinguished Service Order. The destroyer USS Edwards (DD-519) is named in his honor. His Medal of Honor citation reads: "For heroism in rescuing 482 men, women and children from the French military transport Vinh-Long, destroyed by fire in the Sea of Marmora, Turkey, on 16 December 1922. Lieutenant Commander Edwards, commanding the U.S.S. Bainbridge, placed his vessel alongside the bow of the transport and, in spite of several violent explosions which occurred on the burning vessel, maintained his ship in that position until all who were alive were taken on board. Of a total of 495 on board, 482 were rescued by his coolness, judgement and professional skill, which were combined with a degree of heroism that must reflect new glory on the United States Navy."