Background
Abraham DeSomer was born on December 29, 1884 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Abraham DeSomer
Edit ProfileCareer
In the early 1900s, he enlisted in the United States Navy from that state. Following his initial sea duty on board the gunboat United States Ship Yorktown, DeSomer transferred to the monitor United States Ship Monadnock, which served on the Asiatic Station, and became a Gunner"s Mate. From 1907 to 1911, he was assigned to the battleship United States Ship Nebraska.
DeSomer was promoted to Chief Petty Officer in 1910.
A year later, he reported to the battleship United States Ship In February 1915 DeSomer was promoted to the Warrant Officer rank of Gunner. During the next four years he served on the transport United States Ship Hancock, the armored cruiser United States Ship Montana and the battleship United States Ship Minnesota.
In the Spring of 1919, DeSomer transferred to Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Illinois. He was made a permanent Lieutenant in August 1920 and, a year later, reported to the newly commissioned battleship United States Ship California.
DeSomer began two more years of training duty at Great Lakes in the summer of 1925, then was assigned to the destroyer tender United States Ship Dobbin and the aircraft carrier United States Ship Lexington before transferring in November 1930 to Naval Air Station, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Following more than thirty years of continuous service as an enlisted man and an officer, Lieutenant DeSomer retired in January 1932. He returned to active duty in the summer of 1940, after the fall of France prompted a massive expansion of America"s defenses. Promoted to Lieutenant Commander on the retired list in February 1942, he remained on active status through the war years.
Abraham DeSomer died on August 31, 1974 and is buried at the San Francisco National Cemetery, San Francisco, California.
In a letter dated 13 June 1914 to DeSomer, Josephus Daniels quoted Admiral F. F. Fletcher"s summary of DeSomer"s actions on 21–22 April 1914: Daniels concluded with:.
Achievements
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He received America"s highest military decoration - the Medal of Honor - for actions during the American intervention at Veracruz, Mexico. While serving on that ship from 21–22 April 1914, during the intervention at Veracruz, Mexico, his "extraordinary herosim in the line of his profession" was recognized by the award of the Medal of Honor. He was temporarily commissioned as an Ensign in August 1917 and attained the rank of Lieutenant in September 1918.
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Born
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Died
August 31, 1974 (aged 89) -
Nationality
American
Awards
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Medal of Honor Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor citation Rank and organization: Lieutenant, United States Navy, U.S.S. Utah. Place and date: Vera Cruz, Mexico, 21 and April 22, 1914. Entered service at: Wisconsin. Birth: Milwaukee, Wis. Citation: On board the U.S.S. Utah, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession during the seizure of Vera Cruz, Mexico, 21 and April 22, 1914.Medal of Honor citation Rank and organization: Lieutenant, United States Navy, U.S.S. Utah. Place and date: Vera Cruz, Mexico, 21 and April 22, 1914. Entered service at: Wisconsin. Birth: Milwaukee, Wis. Citation: On board the U.S.S. Utah, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession during the seizure of Vera Cruz, Mexico, 21 and April 22, 1914.