Boatswain's Mate John Woon was a sailor in the U.S. Navy who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on April 29, 1863 in Grand Gulf, Mississippi River, Mississippi during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Pittsburgh. Woon was about 40 years old.
Woon was born in 1823 in England — one of 98 recipients born in England. His Medal of Honor is credited to New York, New York.
Woon 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. Pittsburgh, Mississippi River 29 April 1863. Engaging the enemy batteries at Grand Gulf, the U.S.S. Pittsburgh, although severely damaged and suffering many personnel casualties, continued to fire her batteries until ordered to withdraw. Taking part in a similar action after nightfall, the U.S.S. Pittsburgh received further damage, but received no personnel casualties in the latter action. Woon showed courage and devotion to duty throughout these bitter engagements.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: American Civil War.
Places
- Born: England — map
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New York →
Timeline
- 1823Born in England
- April 29, 1863Act of valor — Grand Gulf, Mississippi River, MississippiAge about 40. U.S.S. Pittsburgh
Biography
John Woon (born c. 1823, date of death unknown) was a Union Navy sailor in the American Civil War and a recipient of the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during the Battle of Grand Gulf. Born in about 1823 in England, Woon immigrated to the United States and was living in New York when he joined the U.S. Navy. He served during the Civil War as a boatswain's mate and gun captain on the USS Pittsburgh.
From the Wikipedia article “John Woon”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
