Master-at-Arms August Ohmsen, a sailor in the U.S. Navy, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on August 21, 1884 off Woods Hole, Massachusetts — a peacetime act of courage recognized in the Interim 1871 - 1899 period. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Tallapoosa. Ohmsen was 30 years old.
2 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. He later rose to the rank of Lieutenant.
Ohmsen was born on March 15, 1854 in Lubeck, Germany — one of 130 recipients born in Germany. His Medal of Honor is credited to New York. Ohmsen died on February 13, 1938 in Portsmouth, Virginia, at the age of 83. He is buried at St. Paul's Catholic Cemetery in Portsmouth, Virginia.
Official Medal of Honor citation
On board the U.S.S. Tallapoosa at the time of the sinking of that vessel, on the night of 21 August 1884. Clearing the berth deck, Ohmsen remained there until the water was waist deep, wading about with outstretched arms, rousing the men out of their hammocks. Then, going on deck, he assisted in lowering the first cutter and then the dinghy, of which he took charge.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
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Timeline
- March 15, 1854Born in Lubeck, Germany
- August 21, 1884Act of valor — off Woods Hole, MassachusettsAge 30. U.S.S. Tallapoosa
- February 13, 1938Died in Portsmouth, VirginiaAge 83.
- Resting placeSt. Paul's Catholic CemeteryPortsmouth, Virginia
Biography
August Ohmsen (March 15, 1854 – February 13, 1938) was a Master-at-Arms serving in the United States Navy who received the Medal of Honor for bravery.
From the Wikipedia article “August Ohmsen”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
