Axel Sundquist Explained

Axel L. Sundquist
Birth Date:26 May 1867
Birth Place:Grand Duchy of Finland, Russia
Placeofburial:Braman Cemetery Newport, Rhode Island, U.S.
Placeofburial Label:Place of burial
Allegiance:United States
Branch:United States Navy
Rank:Chief Carpenter
Unit:USS Marblehead
Battles:Spanish–American War
Awards:Medal of Honor

Axel Leohard Sundquist (May 26, 1867 as Axel Leonard S. - December 22, 1910) was a chief carpenter (warrant officer) serving in the United States Navy who received the Medal of Honor for bravery during the Spanish–American War.

Biography

Sundquist was born May 26, 1867, in Furland, Jakobstad (= Finland), Russia and later emigrated to the United States. He enlisted in the United States Navy on August 31, 1893.

During the Spanish–American War in 1898 he was a chief carpenter's mate aboard the cruiser U.S.S. Marblehead. He received the Medal of Honor for his efforts in clearing 27 contact mines from Guantánamo Bay in July 1898.[1]

He was warranted as a carpenter on December 12, 1898, and received the Medal of Honor seven days later. In March 1903 he was assigned to the Naval Torpedo Station in Newport, Rhode Island. He was promoted to chief carpenter on December 12, 1904.

Sundquist died on December 22, 1910.

Awards

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Chief Carpenter's Mate, U.S. Navy. Born: 26 May 1867, Furland, Russia. Accredited to: Pennsylvania. G.O. No.: 500, 19 December 1898.

Citation:

On board the U.S.S. Marblehead at the approaches to Caimanera, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, 26 and 27 July 1898. Displaying heroism, Sundquist took part in the perilous work of sweeping for and disabling 27 contact mines during this period.[1]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: July 20, 2010 . War with Spain; Sundquist, Axel entry . Medal of Honor recipients, War With Spain . . August 3, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20100612003615/http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/warspain.html. 12 June 2010 . live.