Chief Machinist's Mate Karl Westa, a sailor in the U.S. Navy, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on September 8, 1910 aboard U.S.S. North Dakota at sea — a peacetime act of courage recognized in the Interim 1899 - 1910 period. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. North Dakota. Westa was 35 years old.
5 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on June 13, 1911 — presented by Pres. William H. Taft.
Westa was born on April 8, 1875 in Norway — one of 22 recipients born in Norway. His Medal of Honor is credited to New York. Westa died on March 3, 1949 in California, at the age of 73. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
Official Medal of Honor citation
On board the U.S.S. North Dakota; for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession during the fire on board that vessel, 8 September 1910.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
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Timeline
- April 8, 1875Born in Norway
- September 8, 1910Act of valor — U.S.S. North Dakota at seaAge 35. U.S.S. North Dakota
- June 13, 1911Medal of Honor presentedPresented by Pres. William H. Taft
- March 3, 1949Died in CaliforniaAge 73.
- Resting placeArlington National CemeteryArlington, Virginia
Biography
Karl Westa (April 8, 1875 – March 3, 1949) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.
From the Wikipedia article “Karl Westa”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
