Ordinary Seaman Johannes Rouning, a sailor in the U.S. Navy, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on May 7, 1882 in Hampton Roads, Virginia — a peacetime act of courage recognized in the Interim 1871 - 1899 period. At the time he was serving with U.S. Tug Fortune. Rouning was 22 years old.
One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day.
Rouning was born on June 19, 1859 in Norway — one of 22 recipients born in Norway. Records also list him as Johannes Ronning.
Official Medal of Honor citation
For jumping overboard from the U.S. tug Fortune, 7 May 1882, at Hampton Roads, Va., and rescuing from drowning James Walters, gunner's mate.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- June 19, 1859Born in Norway
- May 7, 1882Act of valor — Hampton Roads, VirginiaAge 22. U.S. Tug Fortune
Biography
Johannes Rouning (born Rønning; 11 May 1859 – ) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor. He was born in Norway in May 1859 and emigrated in 1881, at age 23 and became a U.S. citizen in 1892. On May 7, 1882, Rouning was serving as an ordinary seaman on the USS Fortune at Hampton Roads, Virginia. On that day, he and another sailor, Seaman Christian Osepins, jumped overboard and rescued Gunner's Mate James Walters from drowning. For this action, both Rouning and Osepins were awarded the Medal of Honor two and a half years later, on October 18, 1884.
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