Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Stories of Sacrifice
U.S. Civil War - U.S. Navy
John C McFarland
Details
- Rank: Captain of the Forecastle
- Conflict/Era: U.S. Civil War
- Unit/Command:
U.S.S. Hartford - Military Service Branch: U.S. Navy
- Medal of Honor Action Date: August 5, 1864
- Medal of Honor Action Place: Mobile Bay, Alabama, USA
Citation
Stationed at the wheel on board the flagship U.S.S. Hartford during successful actions against Fort Morgan, rebel gunboats, and the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864. With his ship under terrific enemy shellfire, McFarland performed his duties with skill and courage and, when the Lackawanna ran into his ship and every man at the wheel was in danger of being crushed, remained steadfast at his station and continued to steer his ship.
Additional Details
- Accredited to: Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts
- Awarded Posthumously: No
- Born: 1840, Boston, Suffolk County, MA, United States
- Died: October 3, 1881, Lowell, MA, United States
- Buried: St. Patrick's Cemetery (MH), Lowell, MA, United States