Seaman Emile Lejeune, a sailor in the U.S. Navy, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on June 6, 1876 in Port Royal, South Carolina — a peacetime act of courage recognized in the Interim 1871 - 1899 period. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Plymouth. Lejeune was about 23 years old.
Lejeune was born in 1853 in France — one of 18 recipients born in France. His Medal of Honor is credited to New York. Lejeune died on July 10, 1916 in Portland, Maine, at the age of about 63. He is buried at Forest City Cemetery in Portland, Maine.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Serving on board the U.S.S. Plymouth, Lejeune displayed gallant conduct in rescuing a citizen from drowning at Port Royal, S.C., 6 June 1876.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Places
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Timeline
- 1853Born in France
- June 6, 1876Act of valor — Port Royal, South CarolinaAge about 23. U.S.S. Plymouth
- July 10, 1916Died in Portland, MaineAge about 63.
- Resting placeForest City CemeteryPortland, Maine
Biography
Emile Lejeune (1853–1916) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor. A native of France, Lejeune joined the U.S. Navy from New York. By June 6, 1876, he was serving as a seaman on USS Plymouth commanded by Captain Edward Barrett. On that day, he and other crewmen took Plymouth's steam-powered launch to shore at Port Royal, South Carolina. While there, Lejeune rescued a civilian who had fallen off the Port Royal wharf. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor, proposed by Edward Barrett three days later, on June 9. Lejeune's official Medal of Honor citation reads: Serving on board the U.S.S.
From the Wikipedia article “Emile Lejeune”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →