Serving as a sailor in the U.S. Navy, Coxswain John Hayes 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. Hayes was 31 years old.
16 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day.
Hayes was born on July 20, 1832 in Brigus, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada — one of 60 recipients born in Canada. His Medal of Honor is credited to New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts. Hayes died on January 28, 1911 in Blairstown, Iowa, at the age of 78. He is buried at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Blairstown, Iowa.
Hayes 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 second captain of the No. 2 gun during the bitter engagement, Hayes exhibited marked coolness and good conduct and was highly recommended for his gallantry under fire by the divisional officer.
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 20, 1832Born in Brigus, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
- June 19, 1864Act of valor — off Cherbourg, FranceAge 31. U.S.S. Kearsarge
- January 28, 1911Died in Blairstown, IowaAge 78.
- Resting placePleasant Hill CemeteryBlairstown, Iowa
Biography
John Hayes (20 July 1832 - 28 January 1911) was a veteran of the American Civil War and a recipient of the Medal of Honor.
From the Wikipedia article “John Hayes (sailor)”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
