They lived for a short time in Winnipeg, Manitoba where Julius, listed as a Roman Catholic, worked as an architect.

Just two days after the marriage Siegel went on leave and was set to return to USS North Dakota on the morning of September 25, 1912.

His original sentence was reduced to one year but after serving only eight months Siegel was released due to his excellent conduct.

During his sentence Siegel began a campaign to be re-enlisted and had recommendations, including one from the Commander of the prison ship USS Southrey where he was held.

His draft card also shows that he is a wagon driver "teamster" working for Wells Fargo Company Express.

Working in the Norfolk Naval Shipyard the Mohawk rushed to give aid to a burning ship, the schooner Hjeltenaes, which was tied up along the Beltline Bridge.

Siegel was able to rescue two men from the crew's quarters and was going back a third time when he was trapped by a burst steam pipe.

[13][14] After a short recovery Siegel went back to the Receiving Ship in Norfolk, VA until March 1919 when he transferred to the USS Hopewell.

However, on 15 March 1920 he was charged for falsehood and attempting to obtain money under false pretenses and the Commanding Officer ordered the dishonorable discharge of his second enlistment.

Citation: For extraordinary heroism while serving on board the Mohawk in performing a rescue mission aboard the schooner Hjeltenaes which was in flames on 1 November 1918.

Immediately after he had entered the crew's quarters, a steam pipe over the door bursted, making it impossible for him to escape.

Siegel was overcome with smoke and fell to the deck, being finally rescued by some of the crew of the Mohawk who carried him out and rendered first aid.

On 28 May 1935, the New York chapter of the Red Cross wrote a letter on behalf of John Otto Siegel to the Bureau of Navigation, Navy Department, Washington D.C. requesting a duplicate Medal of Honor be issued.

[17] The letter states that in November 1934 John was employed as an "Iron Worker" on the Boulder Dam project, in the "Death Valley Junction" of Nevada and that during this time a fire swept through the camp, believed to be Williamsville (known to its inhabitants as Ragtown) destroying all his belongings including his medal and service documents.

(In prior official documents John Otto Siegel stated his birth location as Berlin, New York as well as Milwaukee, Wisconsin.)