Career
Born in 1853 in Bangor, Maine, Gidding joined the Navy from that state. By July 26, 1876, he was serving as a seaman on the United States Ship Plymouth. On that day, while Plymouth was at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Gidding and another sailor, Landsman William Corey, attempted to rescue a crewmate who had fallen from the ship"s rigging into the water.
Serving on board the United States.S. Plymouth, Gidding showed heroic conduct in trying to save the life of one of the crew of that ship, who had fallen overboard from aloft at the Navy Yard, New York, 26 July 1876.
Nothing is known of him after he deserted from the Navy in September 1876.
