Coxswain William George Thordsen was a sailor in the U.S. Navy who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on May 6, 1900 in Hilongas, Philippine Islands during the Philippine Insurrection. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Pampanga. Thordsen was 21 years old.
One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. He later rose to the rank of Chief Gunner's Mate.
Thordsen was born on April 2, 1879 in Fredericstadt, Germany — one of 130 recipients born in Germany. His Medal of Honor is credited to New York. Thordsen died on May 8, 1932 in Manhattan, New York, US, at the age of 53. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. His medal is held by Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Mount Pleasant, SC.
Thordsen is one of 82 Medal of Honor recipients from the Philippine Insurrection and one of 678 credited to New York.
Official Medal of Honor citation
For heroism and gallantry under fire of the enemy at Hilongas, Philippine Islands, 6 May 1900.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Philippine–American War.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New York →
Timeline
- April 2, 1879Born in Fredericstadt, Germany
- May 6, 1900Act of valor — Hilongas, Philippine IslandsAge 21. U.S.S. Pampanga
- May 8, 1932Died in Manhattan, New York, USAge 53.
- Resting placeArlington National CemeteryArlington, Virginia
Biography
William George Thordsen (April 2, 1879 – May 8, 1932) was a sailor in the United States Navy and a Medal of Honor recipient for his actions in the Philippine Insurrection, or the Philippine-American War (1899–1902). Thordsen joined the Navy from New York in 1898, and retired in 1910 at the rank of Chief Gunner's Mate (CGM). He died May 8, 1932, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Section 1, Grave 69-W.
From the Wikipedia article “William George Thordsen”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
