Ernest H. Bjorkman

Ernest H. Bjorkman
Born (1881-12-18)December 18, 1881
Malmö, Sweden
Died September 16, 1912(1912-09-16) (aged 30)
Place of burial Crown Hill Cemetery Wheat Ridge, Colorado, United States
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Navy
Rank Petty Officer Third Class
Unit USS Leyden (1865)
Battles/wars Spanish–American War
Awards Medal of Honor

Ernest H. Bjorkman (December 18, 1881 – September 16, 1912) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.

Biography

Bjorkman was born December 18, 1881 in Malmö, Sweden and after immigrating to the United States joined the Navy. On January 21, 1903, he was serving as an ordinary seaman aboard the USS Leyden when it was returning from Puerto Rico and it foundered near Block Island in a heavy fog. For his actions during the wreck he received the Medal of Honor December 26, 1903.[1][2]

He died on September 16, 1912 and is buried in Crown Hill Cemetery in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. His grave can be found in block 26, lot 122, space 9.[3]

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Ordinary Seaman, U.S. Navy. Born: 25 April 1881, Malmo, Sweden. Accredited to: New York. G.O. No.: 145, 26 December 1903.

Citation:

On board the U.S.S. Leyden, 21 January 1903, Bjorkman displayed heroism at the time of the wreck of that vessel.[1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Medal of Honor recipients - Interim Awards, 1901-1911". Medal of Honor citations. United States Army Center of Military History. August 5, 2010. Retrieved September 25, 2010.
  2. "Leyden". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval Historical Command. August 5, 2010. Retrieved September 25, 2010.
  3. Don Morfe (January 25, 2003). "Ernest H. Bjorkman". Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor recipients. Find a Grave. Retrieved September 25, 2010.

External links

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