John Otto Siegel John Otto Siegel ( April 21 , 1892 – August 15 , 1943 ) was a United States Navy Boatswain ' s Mate Second Class who earned the Medal of Honor for extraordinary heroism while serving on board of the during World War I . Early life . John Otto Siegel was the adopted son of Julius N . Siegel and Annie Vance , both of Germany . John was brought to the US from Germany arriving in New York via Canada in October 1899 with his mother and father . They lived for a short time in Winnipeg , Canada where Julius , listed as a Roman Catholic , worked as an architect . By 1903 , Julius Siegel was living in Milwaukee and still working as an architect . By 1905 , John and his mother are also with Julius in Milwaukee . By 1910 , Seigel has joined the Navy and is listed as an " Ordinary Seaman " working on board the which was docked at Hampton Roads , Virginia in 1909 for modifications . He also shows up living at the same address as his father at 418 12th Street Milwaukee , WI . In 1911 , Seigel is shown as an " agent " and still living with his father in Milwaukee . In 1912 , Seigel now is a " sailor " at the same address . On 22 September 1912 , John married his first wife Teresa Rose Neilas , age 19 years . The marriage took place at St . James Catholic Church , Newark , Essex Co . , New Jersey . The parents of John are listed as Julius Siegel & Anna Vance and the parents of Teresa are listed as John Neilas & Margaret Buckley . By 1917 , when Seigel fills out his draft card he and Teresa have one child , Margaret Jean " Virginia " Siegel . His draft card also shows that he is a wagon driver " teamster " working for Wells Fargo Company Express . Naval career . On 1 November 1918 , Siegel is working as a Boatswain ' s Mate 2nd Class for the US Navy on board the tugboat . Working in the Norfolk Naval Shipyard the USS " Mohawk " rushes to give ad to a burning ship , the schooner " Hjeltenaes " , which was tied up along the Beltline Bridge . Siegel was able to rescue two men from the crew ' s quarters and was going back a third time when he was trapped by a burst steam pipe . Overcome by the smoke , Siegel collapsed and had to be rescued by his shipmates . Medical officers worked on him most of the night fearing he would die . For his actions Siegel was recommended and awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions along with a $ 100 gratuity . Citation : Medal of Honor citation . For extraordinary heroism while serving on board the " Mohawk " in performing a rescue mission aboard the schooner " Hjeltenaes " which was in flames on 1 November 1918 . Going aboard the blazing vessel , Siegel rescued 2 men from the crew ' s quarters and went back the third time . Immediately after he had entered the crew ' s quarters , a steam pipe over the door bursted , making it impossible for him to escape . Siegel was overcome with smoke and fell to the deck , being finally rescued by some of the crew of the " Mohawk " who carried him out and rendered first aid . Medal Inscription Later life . By 1920 Siegel receives a " less than honorable " discharge from the Navy and continues to work as a driver . Later , it is believed Siegel works as an ironworker on the Brooklyn Bridge or simply a bridge in Brooklyn . Around 1930 , Siegel abandons his wife and daughter and heads to Oklahoma to work in the oil fields . They never divorced and he starts a new life never having any contact with them again . In 1935 , Siegel shows up in Lavagas ( believed it to be Las Vegas ) per the 1940 Census records . And in 1940 , Siegel is found in Baltimore , Maryland as a lineman in a shipyard living with his second wife , 20 years his younger , Mary Lou Siegel from Oklahoma . On May 28 , 1935 the New York chapter of the Red Cross writes a letter on behalf of John Otto Siegel to the Bureau of Navigation , Navy Department , Washington D . C . requesting a duplicate Medal of Honor be issued . The letter states that in November 1934 John was employed as an " Iron Worker " on the Boulder Dam project , in the " Death Valley Junction " of Nevada . And during this time a fire swept through the camp , believed to be Williamsville ( known to its inhabitants as " Ragtown " ) destroying all his belongings including his medal and service documents . On June 17 , 1935 the Bureau replies with instruction on how to apply for a replacement medal . In 1943 , at the age of 51 , Siegel dies of lung cancer , most likely from the injuries he sustained that fateful day in November 1918 . References . Other references : ( Milwaukee , Wisconsin , City Directory ; 1913 ) Page 1524 ( Milwaukee , Wisconsin , City Directory ; 1914 ) Page 1646 ( Milwaukee , Wisconsin , City Directory ; 1915 ) Page 1671 ( Milwaukee , Wisconsin , City Directory ; 1916 ) Page 1395 ( Milwaukee , Wisconsin , City Directory ; 1917 ) Page 1456 ( Milwaukee , Wisconsin , City Directory ; 1919 ) Page 1576 ( Milwaukee , Wisconsin , City Directory ; 1920 ) Page 1522