Carl E Petersen

Carl was born in Hamburg, Germany, on the 24th of August 1875, and he enlisted in the US Navy in New Jersey after emigrating to the US. There is little information about his life in general, but it is known that he was deployed to China in support of the Boxer Rebellion within two years of enlisting and it was his actions there that would later earn him the Medal of Honor. The citation reads:

In the presence of the enemy during the action at Peking, China, 28 June to 17 August 1900. During this period Chief Machinist Petersen distinguished himself by meritorious conduct.

Carl received his Medal of Honor on the 19th of July 1901, and he left the Navy the following year. He was married to Ida, and I did not find a record of any children. Carl Emil Petersen died on the 17th of November 1971, at the age of 96 and he is buried in the Clover Lear Memorial Park in Middlesex, New Jersey: Clover Section, Plot 285, Grave 1.