Seaman Hudson van Etten 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. van Etten was 23 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 Watertender.
van Etten was born on May 17, 1874 in Port Jervis, Orange County, New York. His Medal of Honor is credited to New Jersey. van Etten died on October 27, 1941 in Kittery, Maine, at the age of 67. He is buried at Prospect Cemetery in Greenland, New Hampshire.
van Etten is one of 110 Medal of Honor recipients from the Spanish-American War and one of 93 credited to New Jersey.
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, Van Etten displayed extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this period.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- May 17, 1874Born in Port Jervis, Orange County, New York
- May 11, 1898Act of valor — Cienfuegos, CubaAge 23. U.S.S. Nashville
- August 16, 1899Medal of Honor presentedPresented by Commander Raymond P. Rodgers of the USS Nashville at the Charlestown, MA, Navy Yard.
- October 27, 1941Died in Kittery, MaineAge 67.
- Resting placeProspect CemeteryGreenland, New Hampshire
