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Chief Machinist · U.S. Navy

Hans Johnsen

Chief Machinist Hans Johnsen, Navy, received the Medal of Honor for actions on May 11, 1898 in Cardenas, Cuba during the Spanish-American War.

Spanish-American War May 11, 1898Born in Norway

Serving as a sailor in the U.S. Navy, Chief Machinist Hans Johnsen received the Medal of Honor for his actions on May 11, 1898 in Cardenas, Cuba during the Spanish-American War. At the time he was serving with U.S. Torpedo Boat Winslow. Johnsen was 33 years old.

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

Johnsen was born on January 3, 1865 in Sandnes, Norway — one of 22 recipients born in Norway. His Medal of Honor is credited to Pennsylvania. Johnsen died on June 17, 1920, at the age of 55. He is buried at Bayview Cemetery in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Johnsen is one of 110 Medal of Honor recipients from the Spanish-American War and one of 380 credited to Pennsylvania.

Official Medal of Honor citation

On board the torpedo boat Winslow during the actions at Cardenas, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Showing great presence of mind, Johnsen turned off the steam from the engine which had been wrecked by a shell bursting in the cylinder.

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

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: Spanish–American War.

Places

  • Born: Sandnes Municipality — map
  • Buried: New York Bay Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Pennsylvania →

Timeline

  1. January 3, 1865
    Born in Sandnes, Norway
  2. May 11, 1898
    Act of valor — Cardenas, Cuba
    Age 33. U.S. Torpedo Boat Winslow
  3. June 17, 1920
    Died
    Age 55.
  4. Resting place
    Bayview Cemetery
    Jersey City, New Jersey

Biography

Hans Johnsen (January 3, 1865 – June 17, 1920) was a chief machinist serving in the United States Navy during the Spanish–American War who received the Medal of Honor for bravery.

From the Wikipedia article “Hans Johnsen”, 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 Pennsylvania

GM George Mahoney Fireman First Class · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 John Henry Quick Sergeant · Marine Corps Spanish-American War · 1898 JD John Francis Deswan Private · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 WC William Adolphus Crouse Watertender · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 Fitz Lee Private · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 HM Harry Lewis MacNeal Private · Marine Corps 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.