Emile Lejeune
Encyclopedia
Emile Lejeune was a United States Navy
sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor
.
A native of France, Lejeune joined the U.S. Navy from New York
. By June 6, 1876, he was serving as a seaman
on the . On that day, he and other crewmen took Plymouths steam-powered launch
to shore at Port Royal, South Carolina
. While there, Lejeune rescued a civilian who had fallen off the Port Royal wharf
. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor three days later, on June 9.
Lejeune's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
.
A native of France, Lejeune joined the U.S. Navy from New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. By June 6, 1876, he was serving as a seaman
Seaman
Seaman is one of the lowest ranks in a Navy. In the Commonwealth it is the lowest rank in the Navy, followed by Able Seaman and Leading Seaman, and followed by the Petty Officer ranks....
on the . On that day, he and other crewmen took Plymouths steam-powered launch
Launch (boat)
A launch in contemporary usage refers to a large motorboat. The name originally referred to the largest boat carried by a warship. The etymology of the word is given as Portuguese lancha "barge", from Malay lancha, lancharan, "boat," from lanchar "velocity without effort," "action of gliding...
to shore at Port Royal, South Carolina
Port Royal, South Carolina
Port Royal is a town in Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States. Largely because of annexation of surrounding areas , the population of Port Royal rose from 3,950 in 2000 to 10,678 in 2010, a 170% increase. As defined by the U.S...
. While there, Lejeune rescued a civilian who had fallen off the Port Royal wharf
Wharf
A wharf or quay is a structure on the shore of a harbor where ships may dock to load and unload cargo or passengers.Such a structure includes one or more berths , and may also include piers, warehouses, or other facilities necessary for handling the ships.A wharf commonly comprises a fixed...
. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor three days later, on June 9.
Lejeune's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
Serving on board the U.S.S. Plymouth, Lejeune displayed gallant conduct in rescuing a citizen from drowning at Port Royal, S.C., 6 June 1876.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients during peacetime