Smith, John - The National Medal of Honor Museum

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U.S. Navy

Smith, John

ConflictCivil War

Year of Action1864

Unit/CommandUSS Lackawanna

HometownBoston, Massachusetts

Citation

On board the USS Lackawanna during successful attacks against Fort Morgan, rebel gunboats, and the rebel ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864. Serving as gun captain and finding he could not depress his gun when alongside the rebel ironclad Tennessee, Smith threw a hand holystone into one of the ports at a rebel using abusive language against the crew of the ship. He continued his daring action throughout the engagement which resulted in the capture of the prize ram Tennessee and in the damaging and destruction of Fort Morgan.

Branch: U.S. Navy Conflict: Civil War Year of Action: 1864