August Ohmsen
August Ohmsen | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 15, 1854 Germany |
| Died | February 13, 1938 |
| Place of burial | Saint Pauls Cemetery Portsmouth, Virginia |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service | United States Navy |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Unit | USS Tallapoosa (1863) |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
August Ohmsen (March 15, 1854 – February 13, 1938) was a Master-at-Arms serving in the United States Navy who received the Medal of Honor for bravery.
Biography
Ohmsen was born March 15, 1854 in Lubeck, Germany and enlisted in the United States Navy on November 7, 1878 in Berwick, England.
He was stationed aboard the USS Tallapoosa (1863) as a Master-at-Arms when, just before midnight August 21, 1884 the USS Tallapoosa collided with the schooner James S. Lowell about five miles from Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts and started to sink. Ohmsen began clearing the deck and remained there until the water was waist deep, wading through it with outstretched arms waking up the men who were still asleep in their hammocks. Then, going on deck, he assisted in lowering the first cutter and then the dinghy, of which he took charge. For his actions on that night he received the Medal of Honor on October 18, 1884.[1][2]
He was warranted as a boatswain on June 27, 1897 and promoted to chief boatswain on April 27, 1904. He retired from the Navy on November 25, 1910. During World War I he was recalled to active duty with the rank of lieutenant and was assigned to the Norfolk Navy Yard.
He died February 13, 1938 and is buried in Saint Pauls Cemetery Portsmouth, Virginia.[3] His grave can be found in section B, lot 2.[3]
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Master-at-Arms, U.S. Navy. Born: 1853, Germany. Accredited to: New York. G.O. No.: 326, 18 October 1884.
Citation:
On board the U.S.S. Tallapoosa at the time of the sinking of that vessel, on the night of 21 August 1884. Clearing the berth deck, Ohmsen remained there until the water was waist deep, wading about with outstretched arms, rousing the men out of their hammocks. Then, going on deck, he assisted in lowering the first cutter and then the dinghy, of which he took charge.[1]
See also
References
- ^ a b "Interim Awards, 1871-1898; Ohmsen, August entry". Medal of Honor recipients. United States Army Center of Military History. August 3, 2009. Retrieved September 18, 2010.
- ^ "USS Tallapoosa (1864-1892)". Naval Historical Center. July 5, 2001. Archived from the original on 2 September 2010. Retrieved September 18, 2010.
- ^ a b Don Morfe (September 26, 2003). "August Ohmsen". Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor recipients. Find a Grave. Retrieved September 18, 2010.
External links
- "August Ohmsen". Hall of Valor. Military Times. Retrieved September 18, 2010.