The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Chief Machinist Carl Emil Petersen, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action in the presence of the enemy during the action at Peking, China, 28 June to 17 August 1900, while serving with a detachment from the U.S.S. Newark. During this period Chief Machinist Petersen distinguished himself by meritorious conduct.