Albert Weisbogel

Twice he plunged into the sea to save his drowning shipmates

Albert Weisbogel was a United States Navy sailor who earned two Medals of Honor for rescuing men from drowning. His lifesaving actions aboard USS Benicia in 1874 and USS Plymouth in 1876 brought him the nation’s highest military decoration on two separate occasions. Both awards recognized courage at sea outside combat. (home.army.mil)

Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1844, Weisbogel entered naval service and held the rating of Captain of the Mizzen Top. This was an enlisted position, rather than the commissioned rank of captain. On 11 January 1874, while serving aboard USS Benicia at sea, he jumped overboard and rescued a member of the ship’s company from drowning. His gallantry earned his first Medal of Honor, awarded on 23 March 1876. (cmohs.org)

Little more than a month after that award, Weisbogel again risked his life for another sailor. On 27 April 1876, while serving aboard USS Plymouth, he jumped into the sea and saved another member of the crew from drowning. His second Medal of Honor followed on 9 June 1876. The Navy’s official historical roll records this recognition as a second medal. (cmohs.org, gutenberg.org)

Weisbogel continued his naval career and retired in 1900. He subsequently lived in Brooklyn, New York, with Francis and Margaret McCue. His friendship with Francis extended back more than thirty years to their service together in the Navy. Weisbogel died on 27 May 1919 and was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Brooklyn, in the plot later shared by the McCues. His two Medals of Honor commemorate repeated acts of personal courage undertaken to save the lives of fellow sailors. (cmohs.org)