Ernest A. Janson
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| Ernest August Janson, aka Charles F. Hoffman | |
|---|---|
| August 17, 1878 - May 14, 1930 | |
  World War I Army and Navy Medal of Honor recipient |
|
| Place of birth | New York, New York |
| Place of death | Long Island, New York |
| Allegiance | USMC |
| Years of service | c1900-c1910 (US Army) 1910-1926 (USMC) |
| Rank | Sergeant Major |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
| Awards | Army & Navy Medal of Honor Medaille Militaire Croix de Guerre |
Sergeant Major Ernest August Janson (1878-1930) 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.
Ernest August Janson was born on 17 August 1878, in New York, New York. After nearly ten years of honorable service with the U.S. Army, he enlisted in the Marine Corps on 14 June 1910 at the Marine Barracks, Bremerton, Washington. He was appointed a corporal, 14 March 1911, and honorably discharged on 13 June 1914.
He re-enlisted on 17 June 1914, and was appointed a sergeant on 24 August 1914. During this second enlistment, he served on the USS Nebraska from 13 July 1914 until 30 January 1915; on detached duty on the USS Montana from 30 January 1915 until 6 February 1915; on the USS Nebraska again from 6 February 1915 until 22 October 1916; and at Norfolk, Virginia, from 22 October 1916 until 25 May 1917.
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[edit] World War I action
Sergeant Janson sailed for France on the USS DeKalb on 14 June 1917, and disembarked at St. Nazaire, France, 27 June 1917. Appointed a gunnery sergeant, a temporary warrant for the duration of the war, on 1 July 1917 he served honorably with the 49th Company, 5th Regiment, in its various activities.
[edit] Medal of Honor gallantry
On 6 June 1918, was severely wounded in action. For his conspicuous service on that date, GySgt Janson was awarded the both the Army and Navy Medals of Honor. The French Medaille Militaire, which carries the Croix de Guerre with Palm, the Montenegran 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 6 June 1918.
[edit] Post-WW I
At the expiration of his second enlistment, 25 April 1919, he was honorably discharged. He re-enlisted 7 May 1919, and served the full term of this enlistment as a recruiter at New York City. He was honorably discharged on 6 May 1923.
His fourth-enlistment took place 7 May 1923, and he remained on recruiting duty until 20 July 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 31 August 1926, and placed on the retired list, 30 September 1926.
Sergeant Major Janson returned to New York and during his last years lived on Long Island. He died after a brief illness, 14 May 1930, and was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York.
[edit] Medal of Honor citations
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.
His citations reads:
- For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy near CHATEAU-THIERRY, France, June 6, 1918. Immediately after the company to which he belonged had reached its objective in Hill 142 several hostile counterattacks were launched against the line before the new position had been consolidated. Sergeant Janson was attempting to organize a position on the north slope of the hill when he saw 12 of the enemy, armed with five light machine guns, crawling toward his group. Giving the alarm, he rushed the hostile detachment, bayoneted the two 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 machine-gun fire and forced the withdrawal of our troops.
[edit] References
- This article incorporates text in the public domain from the United States Marine Corps.
