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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Coxswain · U.S. Navy

John G. Morrison

Coxswain John G. Morrison, Navy, received the Medal of Honor for actions on July 15, 1862 at Yazoo River, Mississippi during the Civil War.

U.S. Civil War July 15, 1862Born in Ireland

Coxswain John G. Morrison was a sailor in the U.S. Navy who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on July 15, 1862 at Yazoo River, Mississippi during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Carondelet. Morrison was 19 years old.

Morrison was born on November 3, 1842 in Ireland — one of 258 recipients born in Ireland. His Medal of Honor is credited to Lansingburg, Tompkins County, New York. Morrison died on June 9, 1897, at the age of 54. He is buried at Cypress Hills Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.

Morrison 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

Served as coxswain on board the U.S.S. Carondelet, Morrison was commended for meritorious conduct in general and especially for his heroic conduct and his inspiring example to the crew in the engagement with the rebel ram Arkansas, Yazoo River, 15 July 1862. When the Carondelet was badly cut up, several of her crew killed, many wounded, and others almost suffocated from the effects of escaped steam, Morrison was the leader when boarders were called on deck and the first to return to the guns and give the ram a broadside as she passed. His presence of mind in time of battle or trial is reported as always conspicuous and encouraging.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

From the archives

Even though John G. Morrison earned his Medal of Honor for his service on board the USS Carondelet, he was never in the U.S. Navy. At the time of his Medal of Honor action, he was on detached service from the 30th New York Infantry. He had enlisted in the 30th New York Infantry in June 1861 and volunteered to serve on a gunboat in February 1862. He was discharged from the 30th NY Infantry in June 1863. In September 1864, he reinlisted in the 21st New York Cavalry and was discharged in May 1865, after the Civil War ended. He settled in Brooklyn, New York, and continued his pre-war occupation as a brushmaker.

Timeline

  1. November 3, 1842
    Born in Ireland
  2. July 15, 1862
    Act of valor — Yazoo River, Mississippi
    Age 19. U.S.S. Carondelet
  3. June 9, 1897
    Died
    Age 54.
  4. Resting place
    Cypress Hills Cemetery
    Brooklyn, New York

Same unit

MA Matthew Arther Signal Quartermaster · Navy Civil War · 1862 John Henry Dorman Seaman · Navy Civil War · 1863 MH Michael Huskey Fireman · Navy Civil War · 1863

More Civil War recipients from New York

CB Christopher C. Bruton Captain · Army Civil War · 1865 JM John P. McVeane Corporal · Army Civil War · 1863 ✦ FJ Franklin Johndro Private · Army Civil War · 1864 WN William Henry Newman Lieutenant · Army Civil War · 1865 RS Richard Smith Private · Army Civil War · 1864 Alexander Shaler Colonel · Army Civil War · 1863
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.