Hans Johnsen

On episode three hundred and eighty-four, the story of Hans Johnsen is told. All stories in January and February will be recipients from the Spanish-American War.

Hans was born on the 3rd of January, 1865 in Sandnes, Norway and joined the US Navy in Pennsylvania. It was his actions as a Chief Machinist on board the torpedo boat USS Winslow that would earn him the Medal of Honor during the Spanish-American War. The citation reads:

On board the torpedo boat Winslow during the actions 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.

Hans was soon promoted to Gunner and then to Chief Gunner on the 27th of June, 1904 after receiving his Medal of Honor on the 3rd of September, 1898. He went on to serve in World War 1, receiving a temporary promotion to Lieutenant. Hans Johnsen died on the 17th of June, 1920 at the age of 55 and he is buried in the Bayview-New York Bay Cemetery in Jersey City, New Jersey: Edgewood Section, Lot 468.