Abraham DeSomer
DeSomer, 1 October 1916
Abraham was born on the 29th of December 1884, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and he enlisted in the US Navy in 1901. His first few assignments were sea duties in the Philippines and the Asiatic Station, before being promoted to a Gunner’s Mate and later a Chief Petty Officer while on board the battleship USS Nebraska. In 1911, Abraham was assigned to the battleship USS Utah, which deployed to the Gulf of Mexico in 1914 to support the intervention of the Mexican Revolution at Veracruz. His actions during that deployment would later earn him the Medal of Honor and the citation reads:
On board the U.S.S. Utah, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession during the seizure of Vera Cruz, Mexico, 21-22 April 1914.
While the citation is brief and vague, the letter of commendation to Abraham from Josephus Daniels, the Secretary of the Navy under President Wilson, details his actions on those days. The letter reads:
June 13, 1914
To: Abraham De Somers, chief turret captain, U.S.N., U.S.S. Utah. Commanding Officer (Commander in Chief)
Subject: Commendation – conduct with landing force at Vera Cruz, Mexico, in April, 1914.
1. The following extract from a report of the naval operations at Vera Cruz made by Rear Admiral F. F. Fletcher is quoted for your information:
a. “De Somers, chief turret captain (UTAH. On the afternoon of April 21st, he was placed in charge of a small squad of men and stationed at the corner of a warehouse to eastward of the custom house. His position was subject to a severe fire from the buildings along Avenida Iandero y Cos, and after several hours of well directed fire he silenced it. On April 22d when a general advance began, he was sent ahead to locate and silence fire from snipers. Being an excellent marksman and notably cool, he was especially selected for this work. Later, when two sections of artillery were sent to join Captain Anderson’s command, he performed similar services and was almost continually under direct fire from snipers. His services in this connection were of more value than a whole squad.”
2. The Department concurs with the opinion of Rear Admiral Fletcher and highly commends your conspicuous courage, coolness and skill, which were in accord with and added to the best traditions of the naval service.
3. The Department takes pleasure in extending to you the privilege of taking the Fall examination for warrant officer, and if you successfully pass the same you will be accorded promotion as is provided for by Article 3661 (1) of the U.S. Navy Regulations, 1913. In addition a Medal of Honor and a gratuity of One Hundred Dollars has been awarded you.
Josephus Daniels
Abraham did pass the warrant officer exam and was promoted in February of 1915 to the rank of Gunner. By 1918, he had served on three other ships and had reached the rank of Lieutenant. After some time at the Naval Training Center in Great Lakes, Illinois, Abraham was assigned to the USS Dobbin and the USS Lexington. He retired from the Navy in January of 1932, at Naval Air Station, Pearl Harbor, after 30 years of continuous enlisted and commissioned service. However, when France fell to Germany in June of 1940 and the US expanded its defenses, Abraham returned to active duty and remained active through the end of the war, reaching the rank of Lieutenant Commander in February of 1942.
Not much is known about his private life. He did have four sons, one of which (Russell) served in World War 2, the Korean War, and Vietnam with the Air Force (reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel). Abraham DeSomer died on the 31st of August 1974, at the age of 89. While there is a grave marker for him in the San Francisco National Cemetery (Plot MA, 15), Abraham is not buried there and it is possible that he was buried at sea.
