Serving as a sailor in the U.S. Navy, Captain of the Top John F. Bickford received the Medal of Honor for his actions on June 19, 1864 off Cherbourg, France during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Kearsarge. Bickford was 21 years old.
16 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. He later rose to the rank of Master's Mate.
Bickford was born on March 12, 1843 in Tremont, Hancock County, Maine. His Medal of Honor is credited to Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. Bickford died on April 28, 1927 in Glouchester, Massachusetts, at the age of 84. He is buried at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Glouchester, Massachusetts.
Bickford 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
Served on board the U.S.S. Kearsarge when she destroyed the Alabama off Cherbourg, France, 19 June 1864. Acting as the first loader of the pivot gun during this bitter engagement, Bickford exhibited marked coolness and good conduct and was highly recommended for his gallantry under fire by his divisional officer.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: American Civil War.
Places
- Born: Tremont — map
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Massachusetts →
Timeline
- March 12, 1843Born in Tremont, Hancock County, Maine
- June 19, 1864Act of valor — off Cherbourg, FranceAge 21. U.S.S. Kearsarge
- April 28, 1927Died in Glouchester, MassachusettsAge 84.
- Resting placeMount Pleasant CemeteryGlouchester, Massachusetts
Biography
John F. Bickford (March 12, 1843 – April 28, 1927) received the Medal of Honor in the American Civil War.
From the Wikipedia article “John F. Bickford”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
