b. 04/03/1858 Schiedam, Holland. d. 08/10/1887 Schiedam, Holland.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 07/05/1882 Hampton Roads, Virginia.
Osepins was born “Christiaan Osephius” in Schiedam to Gerritje Ruigrok and Johannes Osephius. Osephius immigrated to the United States and joined the Navy from New York as Christian Osepins. By May 7, 1882, he was serving as a Seaman on the USS Fortune. On that day, while Fortune was at Hampton Roads, Virginia, he and another sailor, Ordinary Seaman Johannes Rouning, jumped overboard and rescued Gunner’s Mate James Walters from drowning.
For this action, both Osepins and Rouning were awarded the Medal of Honor two and a half years later, on October 18, 1884. Osepins had not claimed his medal as of 1898, and the decoration remained in the possession of the Navy Department.
MOH CITATION:
For jumping overboard from the U.S. Tug Fortune, 7 May 1882, at Hampton Roads, Va., and rescuing from drowning James Walters, gunner’s mate.
BURIAL LOCATION: CEMETERY ON THE BROERSVEST, SCHIEDAM, HOLLAND.
CEMETERY NO LONGER EXISTS.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER, WASHINGTON NAVY YARD, WASHINGTON DC.