Peter Willemoes
Peter Willemoes | |
|---|---|
| Born | 11 May 1783 Assens, Denmark |
| Died | 22 March 1808 (aged 24) Great Belt, Denmark |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | Denmark–Norway |
| Branch | Royal Dano-Norwegian Navy |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Battles / wars | Battle of Copenhagen Battle of Zealand Point |
Lieutenant Peter Willemoes (11 May 1783 – 22 March 1808) was a Royal Dano-Norwegian Navy officer. He died in the Battle of Zealand Point. He is commemorated by a statue on the harbourfront in his native town of Assens. Willemoes was born on 11 May 1783 in Assens on the island of Funen, where his father was a public servant. At the age of twelve he was sent to the Naval Academy in Copenhagen. He became a cadet in 1795 and sekondløjtnant (second lieutenant) in 1800.