Boatswain's Mate John McDonald, a sailor in the U.S. Navy, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry between December 23 and 27, 1862 at Yazoo River Expedition, Mississippi during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Baron De Kalb. McDonald was about 45 years old.
4 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day.
McDonald was born in 1817 in Perth, Scotland — one of 41 recipients born in Scotland. His Medal of Honor is credited to Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts.
McDonald 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. Baron De Kalb, Yazoo River Expedition, 23 to 27 December 1862. Proceeding under orders up the Yazoo River, the U.S.S. Baron de Kalb, with the object of capturing or destroying the enemy's transports, came upon the steamers John Walsh, R.J. Locklan, Golden Age, and the Scotland, sunk on a bar where they were ordered burned. Continuing up the river, she was fired on but, upon returning the fire, caused the enemy's retreat. Returning down the Yazoo, she destroyed and captured large quantities of enemy equipment and several prisoners. Serving bravely throughout this action, McDonald, as boatswain's mate, "distinguished himself in the various actions."
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- 1817Born in Perth, Scotland
- December 23 - 27, 1862Act of valor — Yazoo River Expedition, MississippiAge about 45. U.S.S. Baron De Kalb
