John Smith

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Captain of the Forecastle John Smith, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving on board the U.S.S. Lackawanna during the successful attacks against Fort Morgan, rebel gunboats and the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay, Alabama, 5 August 1864. Serving as a Gun Captain and finding he could not depress his gun when alongside the rebel ironclad Tennessee, Captain of the Forecastle Smith threw a hand holystone into one of the ports at a rebel using abusive language against the crew of the ship. He continued his daring action throughout the engagement which resulted in the capture of the prize ram Tennessee and in the damaging and destruction of Fort Morgan. General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 45 (December 31, 1864)

Action Date: August 5, 1864

Service: Navy

Rank: Captain of the Forecastle

Division: U.S.S. Lackawanna