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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)

Karl Westa — Victoria Cross

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Service Profile

Branch: U.S. Navy
Rank: Chief Machinist's Mate
Medals Recorded: 1

Karl Westa

Chief Machinist's Mate, U.S. Navy

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Awards & Decorations

Medal of Honor 1862–1912 Navy

Ribbon Rack

Biography

He braved fire aboard North Dakota to help protect his ship.

Karl Westa was born on 8 April 1875 in Norway. He served in the United States Navy as a chief machinist's mate aboard USS North Dakota.

On 8 September 1910, a fire broke out aboard the ship at sea. Westa's conduct during the emergency earned the Medal of Honor for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession. The citation recognizes his response without providing further details of his individual duties during the fire.

President William H. Taft presented Westa with the medal on 13 June 1911. Westa died on 3 March 1949 in California and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

Medal of Honor citation

On board the U.S.S. North Dakota; for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession during the fire on board that vessel, 8 September 1910.

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