Louis Fred Pfeifer

Who was Louis Fred Pfeifer?

Louis Fred Pfeifer was a private in the United States Marine Corps who received the Medal of Honor for risking his life to rescue several shipmates during a fire aboard USS Petrel .

Pfeifer joined the Marine Corps from Philadelphia under the name Louis Fred Theis and served aboard the USS Petrel during engagements in the waters around Manila during the Spanish American War. When a fire broke out aboard ship and several crew members went missing while trying to extinguish the flames, Pfeifer and several other shipmates risked their lives to rescue them. All eventually received the Medal of Honor for their actions.

After receiving the Medal of Honor he continued to serve in the Marine Corps and upon reenlistment changed his name back to Pfeifer until he was discharged in 1917.