Coxswain Thomas Taylor

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Coxswain Thomas Taylor, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving on board the U.S.S. Metacomet during the action against rebel forts and gunboats and with the rebel ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay, Alabama, 5 August 1864. Despite damage to his ship and the loss of several men on board as enemy fire raked her decks, Coxswain Taylor encouraged the men of the forward pivot gun when the officer in command displayed cowardice, doing honor to the occasion.

General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 59 (June 22, 1865)

Action Date: August 5, 1864

Service: Navy

Rank: Coxswain

Division: U.S.S. Metacomet