b. 14/11/1860 Germany. d. 22/02/1914 Norfolk, Virginia.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 11/05/1898 Cienfuegos, Cuba.
Wilke was born November 14, 1860, in Germany, and after entering the navy he was sent as a Boatswain’s Mate First Class to fight in the Spanish–American War aboard the U.S.S. Marblehead. Wilke died on December 22, 1914, at the age of 54 years old.
MOH CITATION:
On board the U.S.S. Marblehead during the operation of cutting the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1989. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, Wilke displayed extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this action.
BURIAL LOCATION: TED CONAWAY NATIONAL CEMETERY, PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA.
SECTION I, ROW 6, MARKER 10.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.
