Frederick Muller – Lieutenant Commander, United States Navy

Born in Copenhagen, Denmark on March 29, 1861, he earned the Medal of Honor while serving as a Mate aboard the USS Wompatuk at Manzanillo, Cuba, on June 30, 1898 during the Spanish-American War. The Medal was presented on April 30, 1901.

He died on June 6, 1946 and was buried in Section 8 of Arlington National Cemetery.

MEDAL FOR NAVAL HERO

WASHINGTON, May 18, 1901 – The Navy Department has awarded to Boatswain Frederick Muller, now on duty in the Philippine Islands, the Medal of Honor and gratuity of $100 provided for in a section of the Revised Statutes for extraordinary heroism by seamen.

Muller’s heroic act was done during the Spanish-American War.  He was serving as a Mate aboard the Wompatuck and during an engagement with the Spanish forces as Manzanillo on June 30, 1898, the American vessel Hornet was disabled by the enemy’s fire and the Wompatuck was signaled to take her in tow.  Under a severe fire this service was accomplished in the coolest and most expeditious manner by Mate Muller and Boatswain’s Mate Alfred Woodruff.  For this feat Muller was promoted to Boatswain.

MULLER, FREDERICK

Rank and organization: Mate, U.S. Navy. Born: 29 March 1861, Copenhagen, Denmark. Accredited to: Massachusetts. G.O. No.: 45, 30 April 1901.

Citation:

On board the U.S.S. Wompatuck, Manzanillo, Cuba, 30 June 1898. Serving under the fire of the enemy, Muller displayed heroism and gallantry during this period.

Michael Robert Patterson

Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.

Reviewed by: Michael Howard