Robert Klein (November 11, 1848 – November 29, 1931) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.
Biography
Klein was born November 11, 1848, in Gerdonen, Germany, and joined the U.S. Navy from Marseille, France.[1] He served in the Spanish–American War of 1898.[2] By January 25, 1904, he was a chief carpenter's mate on the USS Raleigh (C-8). On that day, he rescued several shipmates who had been overcome by turpentine fumes in a double bottom compartment. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor nine months later, on October 6, 1904.[1]
Klein's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
Serving on board the U.S.S. Raleigh, for heroism in rescuing shipmates overcome in double bottoms by fumes of turpentine, 25 January 1904.[1]
After his military service, Klein lived for several decades in Shanghai, China; he died there at age 83 on November 29, 1931.[2]
See also
References
- ^ a b c "Medal of Honor recipients - Interim Awards, 1901-1911". Medal of Honor citations. United States Army Center of Military History. August 3, 2009. Retrieved June 8, 2010.
- ^ a b "[Unknown]". The China Weekly Review. 59 (1). Shanghai: Millard Publishing House: 31. 1931. Retrieved June 8, 2010.