Seaman Edward W. Hathaway was a sailor in the U.S. Navy who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on June 28, 1862 near Vicksburg, Mississippi during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Sciota. Hathaway was 22 years old.
Hathaway was born on July 9, 1839 in Plymouth, Plymouth County, Massachusetts. Hathaway died on April 6, 1916 in Salem, Massachusetts, at the age of 76. He is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett, Massachusetts.
Hathaway is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 265 credited to Massachusetts.
Official Medal of Honor citation
On board the U.S.S. Sciota prior to the battle of Vicksburg, 28 June 1862. Struck by a bullet which severed his left arm above the elbow, Hathaway displayed exceptional courage as his ship sustained numerous damaging hits from stem to stern while proceeding down the river to fight the battle of Vicksburg.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: American Civil War.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Massachusetts →
Timeline
- July 9, 1839Born in Plymouth, Plymouth County, Massachusetts
- June 28, 1862Act of valor — near Vicksburg, MississippiAge 22. U.S.S. Sciota
- April 6, 1916Died in Salem, MassachusettsAge 76.
- Resting placeWoodlawn CemeteryEverett, Massachusetts
Biography
Edward W. Hathaway (July 9, 1839 – April 6, 1916) was a Union Navy sailor in the American Civil War who received the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor. Born on July 9, 1839, in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Hathaway was still living in that city when he joined the Navy. He served during the Civil War as a seaman on the USS Sciota. On June 28, 1862, Sciota was heading down the Mississippi River to participate in an attack on Vicksburg when it came under heavy fire. Hathaway "displayed exceptional courage" after being severely wounded. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor five years later on October 3, 1867.
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