Landsman Henry S. Webster, a sailor in the U.S. Navy, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on January 15, 1865 at Fort Fisher, North Carolina during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Susquehanna. Webster was 20 years old.
30 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day.
Webster was born on January 7, 1845 in Stockholm, St. Lawrence County, New York. His Medal of Honor is credited to Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. Webster died on July 2, 1910 in Brattleboro, Vermont, at the age of 65. He is buried at Cedar Grove Cemetery in Fairhaven, Vermont. His medal is held by Naval Historical Center, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, DC.
Webster is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 678 credited to New York.
Official Medal of Honor citation
On board the U.S.S. Susquehanna during the assault on Fort Fisher, 15 January 1865. When enemy fire halted the attempt by his landing party to enter the fort and more than two-thirds of the men fell back along the open beach, Webster voluntarily remained with one of his wounded officers, under fire, until aid could be obtained to bring him to the rear.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: American Civil War.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New York →
Timeline
- January 7, 1845Born in Stockholm, St. Lawrence County, New York
- January 15, 1865Act of valor — Fort Fisher, North CarolinaAge 20. U.S.S. Susquehanna
- July 2, 1910Died in Brattleboro, VermontAge 65.
- Resting placeCedar Grove CemeteryFairhaven, Vermont
Biography
Henry S. Webster (January 7, 1846 – July 2, 1910) was a sailor in the U.S. Navy stationed aboard the USS Susquehanna (1850) during the American Civil War. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Second Battle of Fort Fisher on January 15, 1865.
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