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Ordinary Seaman · U.S. Navy

Ernest H. Bjorkman

Ordinary Seaman Ernest H. Bjorkman, 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 Sweden

Serving as a sailor in the U.S. Navy, Ordinary Seaman Ernest H. Bjorkman 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. Bjorkman was 21 years old.

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

Bjorkman was born on April 25, 1881 in Malmo, Sweden — one of 17 recipients born in Sweden. His Medal of Honor is credited to New York. Bjorkman died on September 16, 1912 in Edgewater, Colorado, at the age of 31. He is buried at Crown Hill Cemetery in Edgewater, Colorado.

Official Medal of Honor citation

On board the U.S.S. Leyden, 21 January 1903, Bjorkman displayed heroism at the time of the wreck of that vessel.

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

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: Spanish–American War.

Places

  • Born: Malmö — map
  • Buried: Crown Hill Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New York →

Timeline

  1. April 25, 1881
    Born in Malmo, Sweden
  2. January 21, 1903
    Act of valor — on the rocks of Block Island, Rhode Island
    Age 21. U.S.S. Leyden
  3. September 16, 1912
    Died in Edgewater, Colorado
    Age 31.
  4. Resting place
    Crown Hill Cemetery
    Edgewater, Colorado

Biography

Ernest H. Bjorkman (December 18, 1881 – September 16, 1912) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.

From the Wikipedia article “Ernest H. Bjorkman”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Also honored for actions on January 21, 1903

LS Laddie Stupka Fireman First Class · Navy Interim 1899–1910 · 1903 AT August P. Teytand Quartermaster Third Class · Navy Interim 1899–1910 · 1903 Michael Walsh Chief Machinist · Navy Interim 1899–1910 · 1903

More Interim 1899–1910 recipients from New York

Charles Stephen Schepke Gunner's Mate First Class · Navy Interim 1899–1910 · 1904 KW Karl Westa Chief Machinist's Mate · Navy Interim 1899–1910 · 1910 WG William Henry Gowan Boatswain's Mate · Navy Interim 1899–1910 · 1909 John King Watertender · Navy Interim 1899–1910 · 1909 DC Demetri Corahorgi Fireman First Class · Navy Interim 1899–1910 · 1905 LH Luovi Halling Boatswain's Mate First Class · Navy Interim 1899–1910 · 1904
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.