Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Stories of Sacrifice
Interim 1871 - 1899 - U.S. Navy
August Ohmsen
Details
- Rank: Master-at-Arms (Highest Rank: Lieutenant)
- Conflict/Era: Interim 1871 - 1899
- Unit/Command:
U.S.S. Tallapoosa - Military Service Branch: U.S. Navy
- Medal of Honor Action Date: August 21, 1884
- Medal of Honor Action Place: off Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA
Citation
On board the U.S.S. Tallapoosa at the time of the sinking of that vessel, on the night of 21 August 1884. Clearing the berth deck, Ohmsen remained there until the water was waist deep, wading about with outstretched arms, rousing the men out of their hammocks. Then, going on deck, he assisted in lowering the first cutter and then the dinghy, of which he took charge.
Additional Details
- Accredited to: New York
- Awarded Posthumously: No
- Born: March 15, 1854, Lubeck, Germany
- Died: February 13, 1938, Portsmouth, VA, United States
- Buried: St. Paul's Catholic Cemetery (PMH), Portsmouth, VA, United States