b. 1854 Bavaria, Germany. d. 10/12/1928 Berkeley, California.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 26/08/1881 Newport, Rhode Island.
Born in 1854 in Germany, Weissel immigrated to the United States and joined the Navy from New York. By 26 August 1881, he was serving as a ship’s cook on the training ship USS Minnesota. On that day, while Minnesota was at Newport, Rhode Island, Captain of the Forecastle C. Lorenze fell overboard. Weissel jumped into the water and kept him afloat until they were picked up by one of the ship’s small boats. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor three years later, on 18 October 1884.
MOH CITATION:
For jumping overboard from the U.S. training ship Minnesota, Newport, R.I., 26 August 1881, and sustaining until picked up by a boat from the ship, C. Lorenze, captain of the forecastle, who had fallen overboard.
BURIAL LOCATION: MOUNTAIN VIEW CEMETERY, OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.
PLOT 45, GRAVE 3089
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.
