Louis Fred Pfeifer
Louis Fred Pfeifer | |
---|---|
Born | Gunnery Sergeant | June 19, 1876
Unit | USS Petrel (PG-2) |
Awards | Medal of Honor |
Louis Fred Pfeifer (June 19, 1876 – February 9, 1949)[1] was a private in the United States Marine Corps who received the Medal of Honor for risking his life to rescue several shipmates during a fire aboard USS Petrel (PG-2).
Pfeifer joined the Marine Corps from Philadelphia under the name Louis Fred Theis and served aboard the USS Petrel (PG-2) during engagements in the waters around Manila during the Spanish–American War. When a fire broke out aboard ship and several crew members went missing while trying to extinguish the flames, Pfeifer (under the name of Theis) and several other shipmates risked their lives to rescue them. All eventually received the Medal of Honor for their actions.
After receiving the Medal of Honor he continued to serve in the Marine Corps and upon reenlistment changed his name back to Pfeifer until he was discharged in 1917.
Early life and military career
Pfeifer was born June 19, 1876, in
Medal of Honor action
On the morning of March 31, 1901, while off
Serving on board the U.S.S. Petrel; for heroism and gallantry, fearlessly exposing his own life to danger for the saving of the others on the occasion of the fire on board that vessel, 31 March 1901.[2]
Later life
Pfeifer continued to serve in the Marine Corps and changed his name back to Pfeifer upon reenlistment. He was dishonorably discharged from the Marine Corps September 2, 1917.[2][4]
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients during peacetime
References
- ^ Find a Grave
- ^ a b c d "Pfeifer, Louis Fred entry". Medal of Honor recipients, Interim Awards, 1901–1911. United States Army Center of Military History. August 5, 2010. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
- ^ a b Waters, Theodore (1901). "American Heroes: Lieutenant-Commander Roper". New England Magazine. 25 (September 1901–February 1902). Boston: America Company: 123–8. Retrieved June 9, 2010.
- ^ a b "Private Louis Fred Pfeifer, USMC, (Deceased); Interim 1901 Medal of Honor recipient". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. United States Marine Corps, History Division. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
- Franklin Watts. p. 220.
External links
- "John Morris". Hall of Valor. Military Times. Retrieved August 4, 2010.