Emile Lejeune

Emile Lejeune
Born1853
France
DiedJuly 10, 1916(1916-07-10) (aged 62–63) [1]
Place of burial
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service / branchUnited States Navy
RankSeaman
UnitUSS Plymouth
AwardsMedal of Honor

Emile Lejeune (1853–1916)[1] 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.[2] By June 6, 1876, he was serving as a seaman on USS Plymouth commanded by Captain Edward Barrett. On that day, he and other crewmen took Plymouth's 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, proposed by Edward Barrett three days later, on June 9.[3]

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.[2]

  1. ^ a b Emile Lejeune at Find a Grave
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference citation was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference go212 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).