b. 19/06/1859 Norway. d. ?
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 07/05/1882 Hampton Roads, Virginia.
He was born in Norway in June 1859 and emigrated in 1881, at age 23 and became a U.S. citizen in 1892.
On May 7, 1882, Rouning was serving as an ordinary seaman on the USS Fortune at Hampton Roads, Virginia. On that day, he and another sailor, Seaman Christian Osepins, jumped overboard and rescued Gunner’s Mate James Walters from drowning. For this action, both Rouning and Osepins were awarded the Medal of Honor two and a half years later, on October 18, 1884.
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: UNKNOWN.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.