Coxswain John W. Lloyd, a sailor in the U.S. Navy, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on May 25, 1864 at Roanoke River, North Carolina during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Wyalusing. Lloyd was about 33 years old.
4 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day.
Lloyd was born in 1831 in New York. His medal is held by Naval Historical Center, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, DC.
Lloyd 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
Serving on board the U.S.S. Wyalusing during an attempt to destroy the rebel ram Albemarle in Roanoke River, 25 May 1864. Lloyd participated in this daring plan by swimming the Roanoke River heavily weighted with a line which was used for hauling torpedoes across. Thwarted by discovery just before the completion of the plan, Lloyd cut the torpedo guiding line to prevent detection of the plan by the enemy and again swam the river, narrowly escaping enemy musket fire and regaining the ship in safety.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: American Civil War.
Places
- Born: New York City — map
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New York →
Timeline
- 1831Born in New York
- May 25, 1864Act of valor — Roanoke River, North CarolinaAge about 33. U.S.S. Wyalusing
Biography
John W. Lloyd was a Coxswain in the Union Navy and a Medal of Honor recipient for his actions in the American Civil War.
From the Wikipedia article “John W. Lloyd”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
