Contact:  Phyllis Jones (202) 673.1937 desk
(202) 631.3077 mobile     

(Washington, DC)— On Friday, April 29, Dr. Tanya A. Royster, MD, Director of the Department of Behavioral Health, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, and Director of the Mayor’s Office of Veterans Affairs Tammi Lambert will unveil a new headstone at the grave of  Joseph B. Noil, a Medal of Honor recipient buried for decades in the Saint Elizabeths Hospital cemetery under a misspelled name. An emigrant to the United States from Canada, while serving on the USS Powhatan, Mr. Noil saved a drowning shipmate and was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery in 1872. Seaman Noil continued to serve in the US Navy with distinction until he was admitted to Saint Elizabeths Hospital in 1881 where he died a year later.  

Officials from the Embassy of Canada and representatives of the US Coast Guard, the US Navy and the US Department of Veterans Affairs will attend.

The event is free and open to the public.

When:
Friday, April 29 at 11 am

Who:
Director of the Department of Behavioral Health Tanya A. Royster, MD
Cong. Eleanor Holmes Norton
Deputy Mayor for Greater Economic Opportunity Courtney R. Snowden
Director of the Mayor’s Office of Veterans Affairs Tammi Lambert
District residents

Where:
Saint Elizabeths Hospital  Cemetery
1100 Alabama Avenue SE

Enter the cemetery on Bruce Place SE

Directions driving: From Alabama Avenue SE, turn onto 15th Place SE. Turn left onto Bruce Place SE.

Closest Metro: Congress Heights Metro Station For pedestrians, cemetery access is also available through the Hospital entrance gate (picture ID required).