Norman Edsall was part of a landing party sent ashore from the USS PHILADELPHIA (C-4) to put down a group of native combatants near Apia, Samoa during the Spanish-American War. During the action the party's leader, LT Philip Lansdale, was mortally wounded. Seaman Edsall and two others went to his aid and attempted to drag him to safety. Unfortunately they were overrun by the enemy and killed. For his gallantry, Seaman Edsall was honored with two namesake ships, the USS EDSALL (DD-219) and the USS EDSALL (DE-129). USS EDSALL (DD-219) was the first U.S. destroyer to be named in honor of an enlisted man