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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Seaman · U.S. Navy

John Peter Johanson

Seaman John Peter Johanson, 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

Seaman John Peter Johanson, a sailor in the U.S. Navy, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on May 11, 1898 in Cienfuegos, Cuba during the Spanish-American War. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Marblehead. Johanson 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 Chief Boatswain's Mate.

Johanson was born on January 22, 1865 in Oskarshamn, Sweden — one of 17 recipients born in Sweden. His Medal of Honor is credited to Maryland. Johanson died on December 14, 1937, at the age of 72. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. His medal is held by Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Mt. Pleasant, SC.

Johanson is one of 110 Medal of Honor recipients from the Spanish-American War and one of 85 credited to Maryland.

Official Medal of Honor citation

On board the U.S.S. Marblehead during the operation of cutting the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, Johanson set an example of 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
  • Buried: Arlington National Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Maryland →

Timeline

  1. January 22, 1865
    Born in Oskarshamn, Sweden
  2. May 11, 1898
    Act of valor — Cienfuegos, Cuba
    Age 33. U.S.S. Marblehead
  3. December 14, 1937
    Died
    Age 72.
  4. Resting place
    Arlington National Cemetery
    Arlington, Virginia

Biography

John Peter Johanson (January 22, 1865 – December 14, 1937) was a sailor serving in the United States Navy during the Spanish–American War who received the Medal of Honor for bravery.

From the Wikipedia article “John P. Johanson”, 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 →

Same unit

WF William Farley Boatswain's Mate · Navy Civil War · 1863 WM William Henry Morin Boatswain's Mate Second Class · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 WS William Spicer Gunner's Mate First Class · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 AS Axel Leohard Sundquist Chief Carpenter's Mate · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 ST Samuel S. Triplett Ordinary Seaman · 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.