Franz Kramer

He cut underwater cables while exposed to fierce enemy fire.

Franz Kramer was a United States Navy seaman who received the Medal of Honor for bravery during the Spanish-American War. Born in Nierstein, Germany, on 20 January 1865, he served aboard the cruiser USS Marblehead during operations around Cuba in 1898.

On 11 May 1898, sailors and Marines from Marblehead and USS Nashville attempted to cut the submarine telegraph cables leading from Cienfuegos. The work required small boats to approach the shore, locate the cables and bring them within reach while Spanish troops fired on the exposed crews. Severing the lines was intended to disrupt Spanish communications.

Kramer continued his work under heavy fire. His Medal of Honor recognized his extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout the action. The award was recorded in Navy General Order No. 521 of 7 July 1899. His participation also qualified him for the Sampson Medal and the Navy Spanish Campaign Medal.

Kramer died in New York City on 18 April 1924 and was buried at Calvary Cemetery in Woodside, New York.

Medal of Honor citation

On board the U.S.S. Marblehead during the operation of cutting the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, Kramer set an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this action.