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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Quartermaster Third Class · U.S. Navy

August P. Teytand

Quartermaster Third Class August P. Teytand, Navy, received the Medal of Honor for actions on January 21, 1903 on the rocks of Block Island, Rhode Island (Interim 1899–1910).

Interim 1899 - 1910 January 21, 1903Born in Trinidad and Tobago

Serving as a sailor in the U.S. Navy, Quartermaster Third Class August P. Teytand received the Medal of Honor for his actions on January 21, 1903 on the rocks of Block Island, Rhode Island — a peacetime act of courage recognized in the Interim 1899 - 1910 period. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Leyden. Teytand was 24 years old.

3 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day.

Teytand was born on April 6, 1878 in Santa Cruz, Trinidad & Tobago (West Indies) — one of 1 recipient born in Trinidad and Tobago. His Medal of Honor is credited to New Jersey. Teytand died on March 4, 1956, at the age of 77. He is buried at Mount Moriah VA Plot in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Records also list him as Teytard, August P..

Official Medal of Honor citation

For heroism while serving on board the U.S.S. Leyden at the time of the wreck of that vessel, 21 January 1903.

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

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: Battle of Manila Bay, Spanish–American War.

Places

  • Born: West Indies — map
  • Died: Philadelphia — map
  • Buried: Mount Moriah Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New Jersey →

Timeline

  1. April 6, 1878
    Born in Santa Cruz, Trinidad & Tobago (West Indies)
  2. January 21, 1903
    Act of valor — on the rocks of Block Island, Rhode Island
    Age 24. U.S.S. Leyden
  3. March 4, 1956
    Died
    Age 77.
  4. Resting place
    Mount Moriah VA Plot
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Biography

August P. Teytand (April 6, 1878 – March 4, 1956) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor for his actions aboard the USS Leyden. After immigrating to the United States from the West Indies and joined the Navy. He served aboard several ships including USS Olympia and USS Leyden. While serving aboard Olympia he traveled to Asia and participated in the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish–American War. He was a member of the crew of Leyden as well when it foundered in a heavy fog and sank. It was for his actions during the wreck of Leyden that he received the Medal of Honor.

From the Wikipedia article “August P. Teytand”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Also honored for actions on January 21, 1903

EB Ernest H. Bjorkman Ordinary Seaman · Navy Interim 1899–1910 · 1903 LS Laddie Stupka Fireman First Class · Navy Interim 1899–1910 · 1903 Michael Walsh Chief Machinist · Navy Interim 1899–1910 · 1903

More Interim 1899–1910 recipients from New Jersey

GB George Breeman Seaman · Navy Interim 1899–1910 · 1906 LP Louis Fred Pfeifer Private · Marine Corps Interim 1899–1910 · 1901 FB Frederick Behne Fireman First Class · Navy Interim 1899–1910 · 1905
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.