Ernest A. Janson
Encyclopedia
Sergeant Major Ernest August Janson (August 17, 1878 – May 14, 1930) was a United States Marine who was highly decorated for his heroic actions in World War I
, receiving both the Army and Navy Medal of Honor
and the French Medaille Militaire
, as well as decorations from Montenegro, Portugal, and Italy. During World War I he served under the name Charles F. Hoffman.
, he enlisted in the Marine Corps
on June 14, 1910 at the Marine Barracks, Bremerton, Washington
. He was appointed a corporal, March 14, 1911, and honorably discharged on June 13, 1914.
He re-enlisted on June 17, 1914, and was appointed a Sergeant on August 24, 1914. During this second enlistment, he served on the from July 13, 1914 until January 30, 1915; on detached duty on the from January 30, 1915 until February 6, 1915; on the USS Nebraska again from February 6, 1915 until October 22, 1916; and at Norfolk, Virginia
, from October 22, 1916 until May 25, 1917.
, a temporary warrant for the duration of the war, on July 1, 1917 he served honorably with the 49th Company, 5th Regiment, in its various activities.
. The French Medaille Militaire
, which carries the Croix de Guerre
with Palm, the Montenegrin
Silver Medal, the Portuguese Cruz de Guerra, and the Italian Croce di Guerra were also awarded to him for the same act of bravery.
In November 1918, he returned to the United States and was admitted to the Naval Hospital, New York, for treatment of the wounds received in action on June 6, 1918.
His fourth-enlistment took place May 7, 1923, and he remained on recruiting duty until July 20, 1926, when he was transferred to Marine Barracks, Quantico, Virginia. On his return to duty at Quantico, he was reinstated to his wartime rank of gunnery sergeant and requested retirement the following month. He was advanced one grade to Sergeant Major on August 31, 1926, and placed on the retired list, September 30, 1926.
Sergeant Major Janson returned to New York and during his last years lived on Long Island. He died after a brief illness, May 14, 1930, and was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York.
Gunnery Sergeant Janson was one of five Marines during World War I to be awarded both the Army and Navy Medals of Honor. Two Medals of Honor may no longer be given for a single incident.
Navy Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Gunnery Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, 49th Company. (Served under name of Charles F. Hoffman) Born: August 17, 1878, New York, N.Y. Accredited to: New York. (Also received Army Medal of Honor.)
Citation:
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, receiving both the Army and Navy Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
and the French Medaille Militaire
Médaille militaire
The Médaille militaire is a decoration of the French Republic which was first instituted in 1852.-History:The creator of the médaille was the emperor Napoléon III, who may have taken his inspiration in a medal issued by his father, Louis Bonaparte, King of Holland...
, as well as decorations from Montenegro, Portugal, and Italy. During World War I he served under the name Charles F. Hoffman.
Biography
Ernest August Janson was born on August 17, 1878, in New York, New York. After nearly ten years of honorable service with the U.S. ArmyUnited States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
, he enlisted in the Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
on June 14, 1910 at the Marine Barracks, Bremerton, Washington
Bremerton, Washington
Bremerton is a city in Kitsap County, Washington, United States. The population was 38,790 at the 2011 State Estimate, making it the largest city on the Olympic Peninsula. Bremerton is home to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and the Bremerton Annex of Naval Base Kitsap...
. He was appointed a corporal, March 14, 1911, and honorably discharged on June 13, 1914.
He re-enlisted on June 17, 1914, and was appointed a Sergeant on August 24, 1914. During this second enlistment, he served on the from July 13, 1914 until January 30, 1915; on detached duty on the from January 30, 1915 until February 6, 1915; on the USS Nebraska again from February 6, 1915 until October 22, 1916; and at Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
, from October 22, 1916 until May 25, 1917.
World War I action
Sergeant Janson sailed for France on the on June 14, 1917, and disembarked at St. Nazaire, France, June 27, 1917. Appointed a gunnery sergeantGunnery Sergeant
Gunnery Sergeant is the seventh enlisted rank in the United States Marine Corps, just above Staff Sergeant and below Master Sergeant and First Sergeant, and is a staff non-commissioned officer...
, a temporary warrant for the duration of the war, on July 1, 1917 he served honorably with the 49th Company, 5th Regiment, in its various activities.
Medal of Honor gallantry
On June 6, 1918, he was severely wounded in action. For his conspicuous service on that date, GySgt Janson was awarded both the Army and Navy Medals of HonorMedal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
. The French Medaille Militaire
Médaille militaire
The Médaille militaire is a decoration of the French Republic which was first instituted in 1852.-History:The creator of the médaille was the emperor Napoléon III, who may have taken his inspiration in a medal issued by his father, Louis Bonaparte, King of Holland...
, which carries the Croix de Guerre
Croix de guerre
The Croix de guerre is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts...
with Palm, the Montenegrin
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
Silver Medal, the Portuguese Cruz de Guerra, and the Italian Croce di Guerra were also awarded to him for the same act of bravery.
In November 1918, he returned to the United States and was admitted to the Naval Hospital, New York, for treatment of the wounds received in action on June 6, 1918.
Post-WW I
At the expiration of his second enlistment, April 25, 1919, he was honorably discharged. He re-enlisted May 7, 1919, and served the full term of this enlistment as a recruiter at New York City. He was honorably discharged on May 6, 1923.His fourth-enlistment took place May 7, 1923, and he remained on recruiting duty until July 20, 1926, when he was transferred to Marine Barracks, Quantico, Virginia. On his return to duty at Quantico, he was reinstated to his wartime rank of gunnery sergeant and requested retirement the following month. He was advanced one grade to Sergeant Major on August 31, 1926, and placed on the retired list, September 30, 1926.
Sergeant Major Janson returned to New York and during his last years lived on Long Island. He died after a brief illness, May 14, 1930, and was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York.
Medal of Honor citations
Navy Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Gunnery Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, 49th Company. (Served under name of Charles F. Hoffman) Born: August 17, 1878, New York, N.Y. Accredited to: New York. (Also received Army Medal of Honor.)
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy near Chateau-Thierry, France, 6 June 1918. Immediately after the company to which G/Sgt. Janson belonged, had reached its objective on Hill 142, several hostile counterattacks were launched against the line before the new position had been consolidated. G/Sgt. Janson was attempting to organize a position on the north slope of the hill when he saw 12 of the enemy, armed with 5 light machineguns, crawling toward his group. Giving the alarm, he rushed the hostile detachment, bayoneted the 2 leaders, and forced the others to flee, abandoning their guns. His quick action, initiative and courage drove the enemy from a position from which they could have swept the hill with machinegun fire and forced the withdrawal of our troops.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War I