Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Stories of Sacrifice
U.S. Civil War - U.S. Navy
Edwin Smith
Details
- Rank: Ordinary Seaman (Highest Rank: Mate)
- Conflict/Era: U.S. Civil War
- Unit/Command:
U.S.S. Whitehead - Military Service Branch: U.S. Navy
- Medal of Honor Action Date: October 3, 1862
- Medal of Honor Action Place: Franklin, Virginia, USA
Citation
On board the U.S.S. Whitehead in the attack upon Franklin, Va., 3 October 1862. When his ship became grounded in a narrow passage as she rounded a bend in the Blackwater River, Smith, realizing the hazards of lowering a boat, voluntarily swam to shore with a line under the enemy's heavy fire. His fearless action enabled his ship to maintain steady fire and keep the enemy in check during the battle.
Additional Details
- Accredited to: New York, New York
- Awarded Posthumously: No
- Born: 1841, NY, United States
- Died: September 15, 1875, Indianola, TX
- Buried: body not recovered; In Memory Of marker at Port Lavaca Cemetery, Port Lavaca, TX