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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)

Hans Johnsen — Victoria Cross

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Service Profile

Branch: U.S. Navy
Rank: Lieutenant
Service Era: Spanish-American War
Medals Recorded: 3

Hans Johnsen

Lieutenant, U.S. Navy

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Spanish-American War

Awards & Decorations

Medal of Honor
Sampson Medal
- WINSLOW
Spanish Campaign Medal

Ribbon Rack

Biography

He shut off wrecked machinery while his torpedo boat fought.

Hans Johnsen was born on January 3, 1865, in Sandnes, Norway. He served as a chief machinist in the United States Navy aboard the torpedo boat Winslow during the Spanish-American War.

On May 11, 1898, during fighting at Cardenas, Cuba, a shell burst in an engine cylinder and wrecked the machinery. Johnsen shut off the steam from the damaged engine. His Medal of Honor citation recognized the presence of mind he demonstrated during the emergency.

Johnsen received the Medal of Honor and later attained lieutenant. He died on June 17, 1920, and is buried at Bayview Cemetery in Jersey City, New Jersey. His award commemorates a decisive response to battle damage in a torpedo boat's machinery spaces.

Medal of Honor Citation

On board the torpedo boat Winslow during the actions at Cardenas, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Showing great presence of mind, Johnsen turned off the steam from the engine which had been wrecked by a shell bursting in the cylinder.

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