Hans Johnsen


Hans Johnsen was a chief machinist serving in the United States Navy during the Spanish–American War who received the Medal of Honor for bravery.

Biography

Johnsen was born January 3, 1865 in Sandnes, Norway and after entering the navy was sent to fight in the Spanish–American War aboard the torpedo boat USS Winslow as a chief machinist.
He died June 17, 1920 and is buried in Bayview-New York Bay Cemetery Jersey City, New Jersey. His grave can be found in the Edgewood section, lot 468.

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Chief Machinist, U.S. Navy. Born: 3 January 1865, Sandnes, Norway. Accredited to: Pennsylvania. G.O. No.: 497, 3 September 1898.
Citation:
On board the torpedo boat Winslow during the action 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.