Veteran in crisis? Dial 988 then press 1 · Text 838255 Next observance: Navy Birthday · October 13
Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Private · U.S. Marine Corps

Louis Fred Pfeifer

Private Louis Fred Pfeifer, Marine Corps, received the Medal of Honor for actions on March 31, 1901 in Cavite, Manila Bay, on board the U.S.S. Petrel, Luzon (Interim 1899–1910).

Interim 1899 - 1910 March 31, 1901

Serving as a Marine in the U.S. Marine Corps, Private Louis Fred Pfeifer received the Medal of Honor for his actions on March 31, 1901 in Cavite, Manila Bay, on board the U.S.S. Petrel, Luzon — a peacetime act of courage recognized in the Interim 1899 - 1910 period. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Petrel. Pfeifer was 24 years old.

2 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day.

Pfeifer was born on June 19, 1876 in Egg Harbor City, Atlantic County, New Jersey. His Medal of Honor is credited to New Jersey. Pfeifer died on February 9, 1949 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the age of 72. He is buried at Egg Harbor Cemetery in Egg Harbor City, New Jersey. Records also list him as Theis, Louis Fred.

★ Fire & Explosions at Sea

Official Medal of Honor citation

Serving on board the U.S.S. Petrel; for heroism and gallantry, fearlessly exposing his own life to danger for the saving of the others on the occasion of the fire on board that vessel, 31 March 1901.

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

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: Spanish–American War.

Places

  • Born: Philadelphia — map
  • Died: New Jersey — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New Jersey →

Timeline

  1. June 19, 1876
    Born in Egg Harbor City, Atlantic County, New Jersey
  2. March 31, 1901
    Act of valor — Cavite, Manila Bay, on board the U.S.S. Petrel, Luzon
    Age 24. U.S.S. Petrel
  3. February 9, 1949
    Died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
    Age 72.
  4. Resting place
    Egg Harbor Cemetery
    Egg Harbor City, New Jersey

Biography

Louis Fred Pfeifer (June 19, 1876 – February 9, 1949) was a private in the United States Marine Corps who received the Medal of Honor for risking his life to rescue several shipmates during a fire aboard USS Petrel (PG-2). Pfeifer joined the Marine Corps from Philadelphia under the name Louis Fred Theis and served aboard the USS Petrel (PG-2) during engagements in the waters around Manila during the Spanish–American War. When a fire broke out aboard ship and several crew members went missing while trying to extinguish the flames, Pfeifer (under the name of Theis) and several other shipmates risked their lives to rescue them. All eventually received the Medal of Honor for their actions.

From the Wikipedia article “Louis Fred Pfeifer”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Also honored for actions on March 31, 1901

TC Thomas Cahey Seaman · Navy Interim 1899–1910 · 1901 AG Alphonse Girandy Seaman · Navy Interim 1899–1910 · 1901

Same unit

FI Franz Anton Itrich Chief Carpenter's Mate · Navy Spanish-American War · 1898 JN John H. Nibbe Quartermaster · Navy Civil War · 1864

More Interim 1899–1910 recipients from New Jersey

FB Frederick Behne Fireman First Class · Navy Interim 1899–1910 · 1905 AT August P. Teytand Quartermaster Third Class · Navy Interim 1899–1910 · 1903 GB George Breeman Seaman · Navy Interim 1899–1910 · 1906
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.