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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Coxswain · U.S. Navy

Albert Beyer

Coxswain Albert Beyer, Navy, received the Medal of Honor for actions on May 11, 1898 in Cienfuegos, Cuba during the Spanish-American War.

Spanish-American War May 11, 1898Born in Germany

Coxswain Albert Beyer, a sailor in the U.S. Navy, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on May 11, 1898 in Cienfuegos, Cuba during the Spanish-American War. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Nashville. Beyer was 38 years old.

54 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on August 16, 1899 — presented by Commander Raymond P. Rodgers of the USS Nashville at the Charlestown, MA, Navy Yard. He later rose to the rank of Chief Master-of-Arms.

Beyer was born on June 13, 1859 in Hanover, Germany — one of 130 recipients born in Germany. His Medal of Honor is credited to Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. Beyer died on October 29, 1929 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the age of 70. He is buried at Mount Moriah Cemetery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Beyer is one of 110 Medal of Honor recipients from the Spanish-American War and one of 265 credited to Massachusetts.

Official Medal of Honor citation

On board the U.S.S. Nashville during the cutting of the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, Beyer set an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this action.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Battles and campaigns

1898 · Spanish-American War

Battle of Cienfuegos

Result: Spanish victory

4 Medal of Honor recipients

Also served in: Spanish–American War.

Life beyond the battlefield

  • Occupations: coxswain

Source: Wikidata.

Places

  • Born: Hanover — map
  • Died: Philadelphia — map
  • Buried: Mount Moriah Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Massachusetts →

Timeline

  1. June 13, 1859
    Born in Hanover, Germany
  2. May 11, 1898
    Act of valor — Cienfuegos, Cuba
    Age 38. U.S.S. Nashville
  3. August 16, 1899
    Medal of Honor presented
    Presented by Commander Raymond P. Rodgers of the USS Nashville at the Charlestown, MA, Navy Yard.
  4. October 29, 1929
    Died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
    Age 70.
  5. Resting place
    Mount Moriah Cemetery
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Biography

Albert E Beyer (June 13, 1859 – October 29, 1929) was a United States Navy Coxswain who received the Medal of Honor for actions during the Battle of Cienfuegos during the Spanish–American War. He was one of 52 sailors and marines awarded the medal for actions during that battle. Albert is buried in the Mount Moriah Cemetery in Yeadon, Pennsylvania, in the Naval Asylum plot.

From the Wikipedia article “Albert Beyer”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Also honored for actions on May 11, 1898

Benjamin F. Baker Coxswain · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 DB David Duffy Barrow Seaman · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 JB James Harvey Bennett Chief Boatswain's Mate · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 RB Robert Blume Seaman · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 GB George F. Brady Chief Gunner's Mate · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 GB George Washington Bright Coal Passer · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 DC Daniel J. Campbell Private · Marine Corps Spanish-American War · 1898 JC Joseph Edward Carter Blacksmith · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 LC Leonard B. Chadwick Apprentice First Class · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 TC Thomas C. Cooney Chief Machinist · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 John Davis Gunner's Mate Third Class · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 JD John James Doran Boatswain's Mate Second Class · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898

See all 55 recipients for May 11, 1898 →

More Spanish-American War recipients from Massachusetts

FM Frederick Muller Mate · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 George Charette Gunner's Mate First Class · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 FK Francis Kelly Watertender · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 GN George Henry Nee Private · Army Spanish-American War · 1898
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.