Robert B. Wood

Medal of Honor See more recipients of this award

Awarded for actions during the Civil War

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Coxswain Robert B. Wood, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action while attached to the U.S.S. Minnesota and temporarily serving on the U.S.S. Mount Washington, during action against the enemy in the Nansemond River, Virginia, 14 April 1863. When the U.S.S. Mount Washington drifted against the bank and all men were driven from the decks by escaping steam following several successive hits which struck her boilers and stopped her engines, Coxswain Wood boarded the stricken vessel and, despite a strike on the head by a spent ball, continued at his gun for six hours as fierce artillery and musketry continued to rake her decks.

General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 17 (July 10, 1863)

Action Date: April 14, 1863

Service: Navy

Rank: Coxswain

Division: U.S.S. Mount Washington