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World War I
John Otto Siegel
Boatswain's Mate Second Class · U.S. Navy
U.S. Navy
1 November 1918 · Place not recorded
- Branch
- U.S. Navy
- Era
- World War I
- Home state
- New Jersey
- Action
- John Otto Siegel, 1 November 1918
The citation
Official citation
For extraordinary heroism while serving on board the Mohawk in performing a rescue mission aboard the schooner Hjeltenaes which was in flames on 1 November 1918. Going aboard the blazing vessel, Siegel rescued 2 men from the crew's quarters and went back the third time. Immediately after he had entered the crew's quarters, a steam pipe over the door bursted, making it impossible for him to escape. Siegel was overcome with smoke and fell to the deck, being finally rescued by some of the crew of the Mohawk who carried him out and rendered first aid.