Hans Johnsen

Chief Machinist, U.S. Navy

Medal of Honor Recipient

Spanish-American War

Chief Machinist Hans Johnsen (3 January 1865 - 17 June 1920) was a U.S. Navy sailor who received the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his heroic actions during the Spanish-American War.

Hans Johnsen was born on 3 January 1865 in Sandnes, Norway. After entering the U.S. Navy, he was sent to fight in the Spanish-American War aboard the torpedo boat USS Winslow.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: Chief Machinist, U.S. Navy

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.

Death and Burial

Chief Machinist Hans Johnsen died on 17 June 1920. He is buried at Bayview-New York Bay Cemetery in Jersey City, NJ. His grave can be found in the Edgewood Section, Lot 468.