Robert Klein (Medal of Honor)

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.

Robert Klein
Born	(1848-11-11)November 11, 1848 Gerdonen, Germany
Died	November 29, 1931(1931-11-29) (aged 83) Shanghai, China
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Navy
Rank	Chief Carpenter's Mate
Unit	USS Raleigh (C-8)
Battles/wars	Spanish–American War
Awards	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

•  Biography portal

• List of Medal of Honor recipients

References

1. "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.
2. "[Unknown]". The China Weekly Review. 59 (1). Shanghai: Millard Publishing House: 31. 1931. Retrieved June 8, 2010.