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★Victoria Cross

A comprehensive archive of decorated military heroes from Commonwealth, American, and allied traditions, ranked by the Unified Scoring Matrix (USM-25). Honouring valour through history.

USM-25.2Scoring Standard

Scored under the Unified Scoring Matrix (USM-25)

Frederick Behne — Victoria Cross

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Service Profile

Branch: U.S. Navy
Rank: Chief Watertender
Medals Recorded: 2

Frederick Behne

Chief Watertender, U.S. Navy

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Awards & Decorations

Medal of Honor 1862–1912 Navy
World War I Victory Medal (United States)

Ribbon Rack

Biography

Showed heroism during a boiler emergency aboard Iowa

Frederick Behne was born in Lodi, New Jersey, on 3 October 1873. He served in the U.S. Navy as a fireman first class aboard USS Iowa.

On 25 January 1905, while Iowa was at sea, the manhole plate of boiler D blew out. Behne displayed the extraordinary heroism recognized in his Medal of Honor citation during the resulting emergency. His award was accredited to New Jersey.

Behne died in France on 11 February 1918. His remains were returned from Brest and buried in Hackensack Cemetery in New Jersey.

His citation preserves his recognition for courage during the ship's boiler accident.

Medal of Honor citation

On board the U.S.S. Iowa, 25 January 1905. Following the blowing-out of the manhole plate of boiler D of that vessel, Behne displayed extraordinary heroism in the resulting action.

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