Axel Westermark

{{short description|United States Navy Medal of Honor recipient}}

{{Infobox military person

|name= Axel Westermark

|birth_date= {{Birth date|1875|4|8}}

|death_date= {{Death date and age|1911|5|7|1875|4|8}}

|birth_place= Finland

|death_place= California, US

|placeofburial= San Francisco National Cemetery San Francisco, California

|placeofburial_label= Place of burial

|image=

|caption=

|nickname=

|allegiance={{flag|United States of America}}

|branch= United States Navy

|serviceyears=

|rank= Seaman

|commands=

|unit=

|battles= Boxer Rebellion

|awards= Medal of Honor

|laterwork=

}}

Axel Westermark (April 8, 1875 – May 7, 1911) was an American sailor serving in the United States Navy during the Boxer Rebellion who received the Medal of Honor for bravery.{{cite news |title=Naval Rewards Approved |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107123177/axel-westermark-1875-1911/ |work=Washington Times |date=June 9, 1901 |location=Washington, DC |page=6 |accessdate=August 7, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}

Biography

Westermark was born April 8, 1875, in Finland.{{cite news |title=Hero Laid to Rest |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107056133/axel-westermark-1875-1911/ |work=The Los Angeles Times |date=May 14, 1911 |location=Los Angeles, CA |page=3 |accessdate=August 6, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}} After entering the navy he was sent as an Seaman to China to fight in the Boxer Rebellion.{{Cite web

|access-date=February 2, 2010

|title = WESTERMARK, AXEL

|work =Medal of Honor recipients, China Relief Expedition (Boxer Rebellion)

|publisher= United States Army

|url = http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/chinare.html| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100126005045/http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/chinare.html| archive-date= 26 January 2010 | url-status= dead}}

He died May 7, 1911, in California. He was initially buried in the former Puget Sound Navy Yard Cemetery; his remains now lie in San Francisco National Cemetery.

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Seaman, U.S. Navy. Born: 8 April 1875, Finland. Accredited to: California. G.O. No.: 55, 19 July 1901.

Citation:

In the presence of the enemy during the battle of Peking, China, 28 June to 17 August 1900. Throughout this period, Westermark distinguished himself by meritorious conduct.

See also

References

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