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Photo # NH 105318:  Gunnery Sergeant Ernest A. Janson

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --

Sergeant Major Ernest A. Janson, USMC, (1878-1930).
(Served during World War I as Charles F. Hoffman)

Ernest August Janson was born on 17 August 1878 in Brooklyn, New York. He enlisted in the U.S. Army from that state, served for nearly a decade before enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps at Bremerton, Washington in June 1910. Promoted to the rank of Corporal in March 1911, he re-enlisted in June 1914. The following month Janson reported for sea duty on board USS Nebraska and, in August, was promoted Sergeant. In early 1915 he had temporary duty on board the armored cruiser Montana before returning to the Nebraska and, from October 1916 to May 1917, served ashore at Norfolk, Virginia.

The transport DeKalb took Sergeant Janson (serving under the name Charles F. Hoffman) to France in June 1917 as a member of the first contingent of U.S. ground forces to arrive in the war zone. With a wartime rank of Gunnery Sergeant, he served on the Western Front with the Forty-Ninth Company, Fifth Regiment, Second Division. On 6 June 1918, during fighting near Chateau-Thierry, France, he attacked and drove off an enemy machine-gun unit that threatened the position recently taken by his unit. For his "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity" on this occasion, in which he received severe wounds, he was awarded the Medal of Honor by both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army.

Returning to the United States in November 1918, as World War I's active combat came to an end, Janson reverted to the rank of Sergeant and re-enlisted in the Spring of 1919. He subsequently spent seven years on recruiting duty in New York City. Beginning in July 1926 he briefly served at the Marine Barracks, Quantico, Virginia. Reinstated in the rank of Gunnery Sergeant, he was promoted to Sergeant Major in August 1926 and placed on the retired list a month later. Ernest A. Janson died on 14 May 1930 and is buried at Evergreen Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York.

This page features the only image we have concerning Ernest A. Janson (also known as Charles F. Hoffman).


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Photo #: NH 105318

Gunnery Sergeant Ernest A. Janson, USMC


Halftone reproduction of a photograph, copied from the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 118.
Ernest A. Janson received the Medal of Honor for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity" during combat action near Chateau-Thierry, France on 6 June 1918.
He is wearing the Army Medal of Honor in this photograph.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 46KB; 590 x 765 pixels

 



U.S. Navy Medal of Honor citation of Gunnery Sergeant Ernest August Janson, USMC -- Served under name of Charles Hoffman -- (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 118):

"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 Gunnery Sergeant Janson belonged, had reached its objective on Hill 142, several hostile counterattacks were launched against the line before the new position had been consolidated. Gunnery 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, bayonetted 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."

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U.S. Army Medal of Honor citation of Gunnery Sergeant Charles F. Hoffman, USMC, 49th Company, 5th Regiment, 2nd Division -- Name changed to Ernest August Janson -- (as printed in the U.S. Senate publication "Medal of Honor Recipients, 1863-1978 ", page 445):

"Immediately after the company to which he 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. Hoffman was attempting to organize a position on the north slope of the hill when he saw 12 of the enemy, armed with 5 light machine guns, 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 machine-gun fire and forced the withdrawal of our troops."


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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Page made 26 November 2007