This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Kent Weekly (SS/DSV) (DBF), EMCS
to remember
DeSomer, Abraham (MOH), LCDR USN(Ret).
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Contact Info
Home Town Milwaukee
Last Address Unknown
Date of Passing Aug 31, 1974
Location of Interment San Francisco National Cemetery (VA) - San Francisco, California
Awarded the Medal of Honor for actions during the Battle of Vera Cruz-
Description of Medal of Honor Action:
In a letter dated 13 June 1914 to DeSomer, Josephus Daniels quoted Admiral F. F. Fletcher's summary of DeSomer's actions on 21 ~ 22 April 1914:
On the afternoon of April 21st, [DeSomer] 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 Inadero 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.
- Frank Friday Fletcher
Daniels concluded with:
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. ... In addition a Medal of Honor and a gratuity of One Hundred Dollars has been awarded you.
- Josephus Daniels
Other Comments:
After the fall of France in 1940 LT DeSomer returned to active duty and served until 1946. Retiring again, this time as a LCDR
Connecticut Class Battleship: Displacement 16,000 Tons, Dimensions, 456' 4" (oa) x 76' 10" x 26' 9" (Max). Armament 4 x 12"/45 8 x 8"/45, 12 x 7"/45, 20 x 3"/50, 4 21" tt. Armor, 9" Belt, 12" Turrets, 3" Decks, 9" Conning Tower. Machinery, 16,500 HP; 2 vertical, triple expansion engines, 2 screws. Speed, 18 Knots, Crew 881.
Operational and Building Data: Laid down by Newport News, Shipbuilding, Newport News, Newport News, VA., October 27 1903. Launched April 8 1905. Commissioned March 9 1907. Decommissioned December 1 1921. Stricken November 10 1923.
Fate: Broken Up for scrap at the Philadelphia Naval Ship Yard in 1924.
