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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Musician · U.S. Army

Herman Pfisterer

Musician Herman Pfisterer, Army, received the Medal of Honor for actions on July 1, 1898 in Santiago, Cuba during the Spanish-American War.

Spanish-American War July 1, 1898

Musician Herman Pfisterer was a soldier in the U.S. Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on July 1, 1898 in Santiago, Cuba during the Spanish-American War. At the time he was serving with Company H, 21st U.S. Infantry. Pfisterer was 32 years old.

23 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on June 22, 1899.

Pfisterer was born on April 1, 1866 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. His Medal of Honor is credited to New York, New York. Pfisterer died on August 6, 1905, at the age of 39. He is buried at Vancouver Barracks Post Cemetery in Vancouver, Washington.

Pfisterer is one of 110 Medal of Honor recipients from the Spanish-American War and one of 678 credited to New York.

★ Rescue & Lifesaving

Official Medal of Honor citation

Gallantly assisted in the rescue of the wounded from in front of the lines and under heavy fire from the enemy.

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

Timeline

  1. April 1, 1866
    Born in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York
  2. July 1, 1898
    Act of valor — Santiago, Cuba
    Age 32. Company H, 21st U.S. Infantry
  3. June 22, 1899
    Medal of Honor presented
  4. August 6, 1905
    Died
    Age 39.
  5. Resting place
    Vancouver Barracks Post Cemetery
    Vancouver, Washington

Also honored for actions on July 1, 1898

EB Edward Lee Baker Jr. Sergeant Major · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 GB George Francis Berg Private · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 OB Oscar Brookin Private · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 UB Ulysses G. Buzzard Private · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 Charles P. Cantrell Private · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 AC Andrew Johnson Cummins Sergeant · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 JD John Francis Deswan Private · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 TD Thomas M. Doherty Corporal · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 FF Frank Ottis Fournia Private · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 TG Thomas J. Graves Private · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 BH Benjamin Franklin Hardaway First Lieutenant · Army Spanish-American War · 1898 WK William G. Keller Private · Army Spanish-American War · 1898

See all 24 recipients for July 1, 1898 →

More Spanish-American War recipients from New York

WS William Spicer Gunner's Mate First Class · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 MG Michael Gibbons Oiler · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 ST Samuel S. Triplett Ordinary Seaman · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 WM William Henry Morin Boatswain's Mate Second Class · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 John Fitzgerald Private · Marine Corps Spanish-American War · 1898 JB James Harvey Bennett Chief Boatswain's Mate · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.