Congressional Medal of Honor Society

Stories of Sacrifice

or
  • Filter Recipient Database here
    • Service Branch
    • Conflict / Era
    • Additional Filters
      -  
    or

U.S. Civil War - U.S. Navy

John Harris

Details
  • Rank: Captain of the Forecastle
  • Conflict/Era: U.S. Civil War
  • Unit/Command:
    U.S.S. Metacomet
  • Military Service Branch: U.S. Navy
  • Medal of Honor Action Date: August 5, 1864
  • Medal of Honor Action Place: Mobile Bay, Alabama, USA
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 the 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.
Additional Details
  • Accredited to: New York, New York
  • Awarded Posthumously: No
  • Born: 1839, Norway
  • Died:
 

Questions? For More Information Contact Us!