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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Chief Carpenter's Mate · U.S. Navy

Axel Leohard Sundquist

Chief Carpenter's Mate Axel Leohard Sundquist, Navy, received the Medal of Honor for actions between July 26 and 27, 1898 in approaches to Caimanera, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba during the Spanish-American War.

Spanish-American War July 26 - 27, 1898Born in Finland

Chief Carpenter's Mate Axel Leohard Sundquist was a sailor in the U.S. Navy who received the Medal of Honor for his actions between July 26 and 27, 1898 in approaches to Caimanera, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba during the Spanish-American War. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Marblehead. Sundquist was 31 years old.

3 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. He later rose to the rank of Carpenter.

Sundquist was born on May 26, 1867 in Finland — one of 6 recipients born in Finland. His Medal of Honor is credited to Pennsylvania. Sundquist died on December 22, 1910 in Culebra, on board the U.S.S. Alliance, Puerto Rico, at the age of 43. He is buried at Braman Cemetery in Newport, Rhode Island.

Sundquist is one of 110 Medal of Honor recipients from the Spanish-American War and one of 380 credited to Pennsylvania.

Official Medal of Honor citation

On board the U.S.S. Marblehead at the approaches to Caimanera, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, 26 and 27 July 1898. Displaying heroism, Sundquist took part in the perilous work of sweeping for and disabling 27 contact mines during this period.

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

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: Spanish–American War.

Places

  • Born: Grand Duchy of Finland — map
  • Buried: Rhode Island — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Pennsylvania →

From the archives

Medal of Honor Recipient Axel Sundquist died of kidney disease while serving on board the USS Alliance in Puerto Rico.

Timeline

  1. May 26, 1867
    Born in Finland
  2. July 26 - 27, 1898
    Act of valor — approaches to Caimanera, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
    Age 31. U.S.S. Marblehead
  3. December 22, 1910
    Died in Culebra, on board the U.S.S. Alliance, Puerto Rico
    Age 43.
  4. Resting place
    Braman Cemetery
    Newport, Rhode Island

Biography

Axel Leohard Sundquist (May 26, 1867 as Axel Leonard S. - December 22, 1910 ) was a chief carpenter (warrant officer) serving in the United States Navy who received the Medal of Honor for bravery during the Spanish–American War.

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

Also honored for actions on July 26 - 27, 1898

WM William Henry Morin Boatswain's Mate Second Class · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 WS William Spicer Gunner's Mate First Class · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 ST Samuel S. Triplett Ordinary Seaman · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898

Same unit

JB James Harvey Bennett Chief Boatswain's Mate · 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 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 NE Nicholas Erickson Coxswain · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 WF William Farley Boatswain's Mate · Navy Civil War · 1863

More Spanish-American War recipients from Pennsylvania

John Henry Quick Sergeant · Marine Corps Spanish-American War · 1898 AQ Alexander M. Quinn Sergeant · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 UB Ulysses G. Buzzard Private · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 WS Warren Julius Shepherd Corporal · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 Philip Gaughan Sergeant · Marine Corps Spanish-American War · 1898 NR Norman W. Ressler Corporal · 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.