Career
Born in Columbus, Kentucky, Edsall enlisted in the Navy 27 June 1898. While serving on Philadelphia, Seaman Edsall went ashore with a landing party on 1 April 1899 to suppress hostile natives near Vailele, Samoa. He was killed attempting to carry his wounded commander, Lieutenant Philip Lansdale, to safety, and is buried on Samoa.
Two United States. Navy ships have been named United States Ship Edsall in his honor.