Born in France, Chandron immigrated to the United States and joined the Navy from New York at age 16.

By November 21, 1885, he was serving as a seaman apprentice, second class, on the USS Quinnebaug.

On that morning, while Quinnebaug was at Alexandria, Egypt, he and another sailor, Boatswain's Mate Hugh Miller, jumped overboard and rescued Ordinary Seaman William Evans from drowning.

[2] Chandron's official Medal of Honor citation reads: On board the U.S.S.

Jumping overboard from that vessel, Chandron, with the aid of Hugh Miller, boatswain's mate, rescued William Evans, ordinary seaman, from drowning.