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Coxswain · U.S. Navy

Claus Kristian randolph Clausen

Coxswain Claus Kristian randolph Clausen, Navy, received the Medal of Honor for actions on June 3, 1898 at Santiago de Cuba harbor entrance, Cuba during the Spanish-American War.

Spanish-American War June 3, 1898Born in Denmark

Serving as a sailor in the U.S. Navy, Coxswain Claus Kristian randolph Clausen received the Medal of Honor for his actions on June 3, 1898 at Santiago de Cuba harbor entrance, Cuba during the Spanish-American War. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Merrimac assigned to the U.S.S. New York. Clausen was 28 years old.

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

Clausen was born on December 9, 1869 in Denmark — one of 11 recipients born in Denmark. His Medal of Honor is credited to New York. Clausen died on December 23, 1958 in St. Albans, New York, at the age of 89. He is buried at U.S. Columbarium in Middle Village, New York.

Clausen is one of 110 Medal of Honor recipients from the Spanish-American War and one of 678 credited to New York.

Official Medal of Honor citation

In connection with the sinking of the U.S.S. Merrimac at the entrance to the harbor of Santiago de Cuba, 2 June 1898. Despite heavy fire from the Spanish batteries, Clausen displayed extraordinary heroism throughout this operation.

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

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: World War I, Spanish–American War.

Places

  • Born: Denmark — map
  • Died: St. Albans — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New York →

Timeline

  1. December 9, 1869
    Born in Denmark
  2. June 3, 1898
    Act of valor — Santiago de Cuba harbor entrance, Cuba
    Age 28. U.S.S. Merrimac assigned to the U.S.S. New York
  3. December 23, 1958
    Died in St. Albans, New York
    Age 89.
  4. Resting place
    U.S. Columbarium
    Middle Village, New York

Biography

Claus Kristian Randolph Clausen (December 9, 1869 – December 23, 1958) was an enlisted man and later an officer in the United States Navy. He received America's highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor, for actions in the Spanish–American War.

From the Wikipedia article “Claus Kristian Randolph Clausen”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Also honored for actions on June 3, 1898

George Charette Gunner's Mate First Class · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 Osborn Warren Deignan Coxswain · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 Richmond Pearson Hobson Lieutenant · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 FK Francis Kelly Watertender · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 DM Daniel Montague Chief Master-at-Arms · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 JM John Edward Murphy Coxswain · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 George Frederick Phillips Machinist First Class · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898

More Spanish-American War recipients from New York

WO William Oakley Gunner's Mate Second Class · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 OF Oscar Wadsworth Field Private · Marine Corps Spanish-American War · 1898 FW Frank Williams Seaman · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 John Fitzgerald Private · Marine Corps Spanish-American War · 1898 MG Michael Gibbons Oiler · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 Albert Leopold Mills Captain & Assistant Adjutant General · 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.