b. 03/01/1865 Sandnes, Norway. d. 17/06/1920 Kings County, New York.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 11/05/1898 Cardenas, Cuba.
Johnsen was born January 3, 1865, in Sandnes, Norway and after entering the navy was sent to fight in the Spanish–American War aboard the torpedo boat USS Winslow as a chief machinist.
Johnsen was warranted as a gunner on June 27, 1898, and was promoted to chief gunner on June 27, 1904. During World War I, he received a temporary promotion to lieutenant on July 1, 1918.
He died June 17, 1920, and is buried in Bayview-New York Bay Cemetery Jersey City, New Jersey.
MOH CITATION:
On board the torpedo boat Winslow during the actions at Cardenas, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Showing great presence of mind, Johnsen turned off the steam from the engine which had been wrecked by a shell bursting in the cylinder.
BURIAL LOCATION: BAYVIEW CEMETERY, JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY.
EDGEWOOD SECTION, LOT 468.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.
