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

John Smith

• Rank: Second Captain of the Top
• Conflict/Era: U.S. Civil War
• Unit/Command:
  U.S.S. Richmond
• Military Service Branch: U.S. Navy
• Medal of Honor Action Date: August 5, 1864
• Medal of Honor Action Place: Fort Morgan, Mobile Bay, Alabama

As captain of a gun on board the U.S.S. Richmond during action against rebel forts and gunboats and against the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864. Despite damage to his ship and the loss of several men on board as enemy fire raked her decks, Smith fought his gun with skill and courage throughout a furious two-hour battle, which resulted in the surrender of the rebel ram Tennessee and in the damaging and destruction of batteries at Fort Morgan.