If you knew or served with this Sailor and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
Contact Info
Home Town Hamburg
Date of Passing Nov 17, 1971
Location of Interment Clover Leaf Memorial Park - Woodbridge, New Jersey
"Chief Machinist" was a CPO from 1893 to 1904. "Mate" was added in 1904. China Relief / Boxer Rebellion
Award and Citation
Medal of Honor
Awarded for actions during the CHINA RELIEF (Boxer Rebellion)
For The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Chief Machinist Carl Emil Petersen, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action in the presence of the enemy during the action at Peking, China, 28 June to 17 August 1900, while serving with a detachment from the U.S.S. Newark. During this period Chief Machinist Petersen distinguished himself by meritorious conduct.
General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 55 (July 19, 1901) Action Date: June 28 - August 17, 1900 Service: US Navy Rank: Chief Machinist
Division: U.S.S. Newark
BOXERS, the name given to the society of the
Fists of Righteous Harmony
.
Other Comments:
Carl Emil Petersen (August 24, 1875 – November 17, 1971) was an American sailor serving in the United States Navy during the Boxer Rebellion who was awarded the Medal of Honor for bravery.
Petersen was born August 24, 1875 in Hamburg, Germany, and after entering the navy he was sent as a Chief Machinist to China to fight in the Boxer Rebellion.
He died November 17, 1971, and is buried in Clover Leaf Memorial Park Woodbridge, New Jersey. His grave can be found in the clover section, plot 285, grave 1.
Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Chief Machinist, U.S. Navy.
Place and date: Peking, China, 28 June to 17 August 1900.
Entered service at: New Jersey. Born: 24 August 1875, Hamburg, Germany.
G.O. No.: 55, 19 July 1901.
Citation: 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.
Famous New Jersey Mason
Carl Emil Petersen was a Chief Machinist for the United States Navy during the Boxer Rebellion. He received the Congressional Medal of Honor on July 19, 1901 for "meritorious conduct in the presence of the enemy" during the action at Peking, China, June 28-August 17, 1900. Lodge: Americus 83 Residence: Woodbridge
Righteous and Harmonious Fists, aka BOXERS
Date
Not Specified
Last Updated: Jun 28, 2010
Comments
Early at the turn of the century a rebel force in China that called itself the Society of "Righteous and Harmonious Fists", subsequently called the "Boxers", initiated a rebellion in China that threatened the legations of several nations in Peking and Tientsin. The 1st Regiment (Marines) under Major Littleton Waller arrived in China on June 19 and tried to seize Tientsin, but was driven back. On June 23 Waller's Marines finally entered the city, forcing the Chinese forces to retreat to Peking. Chief Machinist Carl Petersen of the U.S.S. Newark was one of three men cited for their distinguished conduct in the defense of the civilian compound (legation) at Peking during the period of action that followed from June 28 until the fall of the walled city on August 17. Chief Machinist Peterson's comrades who earned Medals of Honor for this action were Navy Seaman Axel Westermark and Marine Private France Silva.
Medal of Honor 