John Harris (Medal of Honor)
| John Harris | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1839 Scotland |
| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Service/branch | United States Navy Union Navy |
| Rank | Captain of the Forecastle |
| Unit | USS Metacomet |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War *Battle of Mobile Bay |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
John Harris, Captain of the Forecastle, was an officer in the United States Navy who received the Medal of Honor for his service on the USS Metacomet in Mobile Bay during the American Civil War.
On August 5, 1864, the Metacomet was part of a Union flotilla, led by Admiral David Farragut, which penetrated Confederate defenses and sealed the Southern port at Mobile Bay. The crew of the Metacomet rescued the crew of the USS Tecumseh when the Tecumseh was struck by a Confederate torpedo.
[edit] Medal of Honor citation
As captain of the forecastle on board the U.S.S. Metacomet, Harris was a member of the boat's crew which went to the rescue of the officers and crew of the U.S. Monitor Tecumseh, when that vessel was struck by a torpedo in passing the enemy forts in Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864 Harris braved the enemy fire which was said by the admiral to be "one of the most galling" he had ever seen, and aided in rescuing from death 10 of the crew of the Tecumseh, thereby eliciting the admiration of both friend and foe.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- "Navy Medal of Honor: Civil War 1861-65". Naval History & Heritage Command, Department of the Navy. http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/moh/moh1.htm. Retrieved 2006-12-29.
- "Civil War Medal of Honor citations". AmericanCivilWar.com. http://www.americancivilwar.com/medal_of_honor4.html. Retrieved 2006-12-29.
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