Johan J. Johansson

Cutting enemy cables while under fire in Cienfuegos harbour.

Johan J. Johansson was born in Sweden on May 12, 1870. He served in the U.S. Navy aboard USS Nashville during the Spanish-American War.

On May 11, 1898, at Cienfuegos, Cuba, Johansson took part in the operation to cut the cable leading from the port. Under heavy enemy fire, he maintained the courage and composure recognized in his Medal of Honor citation. The official citation praises his conduct throughout the operation without describing an individual rescue or a separate attack.

Commander Raymond P. Rodgers presented the medal at the Charlestown Navy Yard in Massachusetts on August 16, 1899. Johansson died in Yountville, California, on December 4, 1948, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. His award preserves the record of a sailor's steady performance during a hazardous naval operation.

Official Medal of Honor citation: On board the U.S.S. Nashville during the operation of cutting the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, Johansson set an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this action.