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The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History

SUNDQUIST, GUSTAF ADOLF - The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History

SUNDQUIST, GUSTAF ADOLF (4 June 1879-25 August 1918), recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor for service during the SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR, was one of nine children born to Anders Gustaf and Eva Sofia (Kullgren) Sundquist in Irsta, Sweden. Gustaf Adolf arrived in New York about 1895 and enlisted in the U. S. Navy 30 July 1897. On board the USS Nashville in the Caribbean, Seaman Sundquist participated in the attempt 11 May 1898 to cut the underwater telegraph cables, linking Cuba with Spain, which were located off shore near the Cuban city of Cienfuegos. Under fire from Spanish riflemen, the party was able to cut only two of the three telegraph lines and had to return to their ships. On 2 Nov. 1899 the Medal of Honor for bravery and coolness under fire was authorized for Sundquist and the other members of the cable-cutting party. Sundquist was discharged from the Navy 26 Sept. 1900. In 1905 he married Matilda E. Pearson in Brooklyn, N.Y. and the couple had five children. They came to Cleveland about 1915 where he was employed as a structural ironworker until 4 May 1918 when he reenlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve to serve in WORLD WAR I. Assigned to Ft. Lafayette Naval Air Station at Crois D'Hins, France, Sundquist accidentally drowned 25 August while swimming off shore. His body was never recovered.

Last Modified: 10 Jul 1997 05:11:44 PM

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