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Ordinary Seaman · U.S. Navy

Gustav Adolf Sundquist

Ordinary Seaman Gustav Adolf Sundquist, 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 Sweden

Ordinary Seaman Gustav Adolf Sundquist was a sailor in the U.S. Navy who 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. Nashville. Sundquist was 18 years old.

54 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on August 16, 1899 — presented by Commander Raymond P. Rodgers of the USS Nashville at the Charlestown, MA, Navy Yard. He later rose to the rank of Chief Special Mechanic.

Sundquist was born on June 4, 1879 in Irsta, Sweden — one of 17 recipients born in Sweden. His Medal of Honor is credited to New York. Sundquist died on August 25, 1918 in Cape Ferret, Gironne, France, at the age of 39. He is buried at Body not recovered.

Sundquist 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

On board the U.S.S. Nashville during the operation of cutting the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, Sundquist displayed extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this action.

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

Battles and campaigns

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

Places

  • Born: Sweden — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New York →

Timeline

  1. June 4, 1879
    Born in Irsta, Sweden
  2. May 11, 1898
    Act of valor — Cienfuegos, Cuba
    Age 18. U.S.S. Nashville
  3. August 16, 1899
    Medal of Honor presented
    Presented by Commander Raymond P. Rodgers of the USS Nashville at the Charlestown, MA, Navy Yard.
  4. August 25, 1918
    Died in Cape Ferret, Gironne, France
    Age 39.
  5. Resting place
    Body not recovered

Biography

Gustaf Adolf Sundquist (June 4, 1879 – August 25, 1918) was an ordinary seaman serving in the United States Navy during the Spanish–American War who received the Medal of Honor for bravery.

From the Wikipedia article “Gustaf A. Sundquist”, 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 →

More Spanish-American War recipients from New York

WK William G. Keller Private · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 HP Herman Pfisterer Musician · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 WS William Spicer Gunner's Mate First Class · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 JM John Edward Murphy Coxswain · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 Albert Leopold Mills Captain & Assistant Adjutant General · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 Richmond Pearson Hobson Lieutenant · 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.