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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Seaman · U.S. Navy

Franz Kramer

Seaman Franz Kramer, Navy, received the Medal of Honor for actions on May 11, 1898 in Cienfuegos, Cuba during the Spanish-American War.

Spanish-American War May 11, 1898Born in Germany

Serving as a sailor in the U.S. Navy, Seaman Franz Kramer received the Medal of Honor for his actions on May 11, 1898 in Cienfuegos, Cuba during the Spanish-American War. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Marblehead. Kramer was 33 years old.

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

Kramer was born on January 20, 1865 in Nierstein, Germany — one of 130 recipients born in Germany. His Medal of Honor is credited to Massachusetts. Kramer died on April 18, 1924 in New York, New York, at the age of 59. He is buried at Calvary Cemetery in Woodside, New York.

Kramer is one of 110 Medal of Honor recipients from the Spanish-American War and one of 265 credited to Massachusetts.

Official Medal of Honor citation

On board the U.S.S. Marblehead during the operation of cutting the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, Kramer set an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this action.

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

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: Spanish–American War.

Places

  • Born: Germany — map
  • Died: New York City — map
  • Buried: Calvary Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Massachusetts →

Timeline

  1. January 20, 1865
    Born in Nierstein, Germany
  2. May 11, 1898
    Act of valor — Cienfuegos, Cuba
    Age 33. U.S.S. Marblehead
  3. April 18, 1924
    Died in New York, New York
    Age 59.
  4. Resting place
    Calvary Cemetery
    Woodside, New York

Biography

Franz Kramer (January 20, 1865 – April 18, 1924) was a seaman serving in the United States Navy during the Spanish–American War who received the Medal of Honor for bravery.

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

Also honored for actions on May 11, 1898

Benjamin F. Baker Coxswain · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 DB David Duffy Barrow Seaman · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 JB James Harvey Bennett Chief Boatswain's Mate · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 AB Albert Beyer Coxswain · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 RB Robert Blume Seaman · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 GB George F. Brady Chief Gunner's Mate · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 GB George Washington Bright Coal Passer · 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 TC Thomas C. Cooney Chief Machinist · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 John Davis Gunner's Mate Third Class · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898

See all 55 recipients for May 11, 1898 →

Same unit

WF William Farley Boatswain's Mate · Navy Civil War · 1863 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 AS Axel Leohard Sundquist Chief Carpenter's Mate · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 ST Samuel S. Triplett Ordinary Seaman · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898

More Spanish-American War recipients from Massachusetts

FK Francis Kelly Watertender · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 FM Frederick Muller Mate · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 GN George Henry Nee Private · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 George Charette Gunner's Mate First Class · Navy 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.