Dmitry von Fölkersam

Baron Dmitry Gustavovich von Fölkersam (Дмитрий Густавович фон Фелькерзам) (1846-1905) was an Admiral in the Imperial Russian Navy.

Fölkersam was born into an aristocratic Baltic German family with a long history of service to the Russian Empire. His father Gustav von Fölkersam was a general in the Russian Army and his grandfather was managing director of the Tula Arsenal. His grandson was Adrian von Fölkersam.

Fölkersam entered the Naval Cadet Corps in 1860 graduating in 1867. Promoted to lieutenant in 1871, he was appointed a gunnery officer aboard the ironclad Pervenets in 1883. He joined the Russian armoured cruiser Vladimir Monomakh in 1884 as a senior officer. In 1891 he was appointed commanding officer of the clipper Dzhigit and he was appointed commander of the Russian battleship Imperator Nikolai I in 1895. Fölkersam was appointed Rear Admiral in 1899 and head a naval gunnery school.

Fölkersam was appointed commander of the 2nd battleship division of the 2nd Pacific squadron based on the Russian battleship Oslyabya. He developed cancer during the voyage and died of his illness on 26 May 1905 (the day before the battle of Tsushima). His body was placed in the cold store of the ship and his death was kept from the crew to try to maintain morale.

Awards and decorations

 * Silver Medal "For the salvation of the lost" by Vladimir tape (10/10/1869)
 * Gold medal "For the salvation of the lost" by Vladimir tape (08/11/1874)
 * Order of St. Stanislaus, 2nd class (15 May 1883), previously 3rd class (6 August 1873)
 * Gold medal "For the salvation of the lost" by Vladimir ribbon with a bow (22/09/1885) to save the drowning sailor overboard 2/4/1885, at the Nagasaki raid
 * Order of the Rising Sun, 3rd class (Japan, 9 July 1891)
 * Gift with venzelnym images of the highest name (01/01/1892).
 * Order of St. Vladimir, 3rd class (30 October 1895).
 * Order of St. Anna, 1st class (6 December 1904); previously 2nd class (1 January 1890) and 3rd class (1 January 1881)