Background
Olsen was born in Oslo, Norway, in 1845.
Olsen was born in Oslo, Norway, in 1845.
Both awards were for peace-time actions rescuing fellow seamen. He joined the Navy from California in 1870, under the name Louis Williams. On 16 March 1883, aboard the screw sloop-of-war United States Ship Lackawanna off Honolulu, Hawaii, Olsen jumped overboard and saved a fellow sailor from drowning.
The next year, on 13 June 1884 off the coast of Callao, Peru, Olsen again saved a man from drowning, along with Ordinary Seaman Isaac L. Fasseur.
Both medals were awarded under the name he had enlisted with, Louis Williams. Olsen died on 20 February 1886 and is buried in Cypress Hills National Cemetery, Section 6, Grave 12616, in Brooklyn, New York City, New New York
First Citation:
Foreign jumping overboard from the United States.S. Lackawanna, 16 March 1883, at Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii, and rescuing from drowning Thomas Moran, landsman. Second Citation:
Serving on board the United States.S. Lackawanna, Williams rescued from drowning William Cruise, who had fallen overboard at Callao, Peru, 13 June 1884.
He eventually achieved the rank of Captain of the Hold, an enlisted position that placed him in charge of keeping order in the ship"s hold. Foreign each of these peace-time actions he was awarded a Medal of Honor. Fasseuer also received the medal for the 1884 rescue. Both medals were presented to Olsen on 18 October 1884, making him one of only 19 people to receive two Medals of Honor and one of only 14 people to receive two Medals of Honor for two separate acts. Olsen"s awards were for peace-time actions. lieutenant can be argued that today he would be awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Meda
