Willard M. Smith

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Corporal Willard M. Smith, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in action on board the U.S.S. Brooklyn during action against rebel forts and gunboats, and with the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864. Despite severe damage to his ship and the loss of several men on board as enemy fire continued to fall, Corporal Smith fought his gun with skill and courage throughout the furious two-hour battle which resulted in the surrender of the rebel ram Tennessee. General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 45 (December 31, 1864)

Action Date: August 5, 1864

Service: Marine Corps

Rank: Corporal

Division: U.S.S. Brooklyn