Boatswain's Mate Michael McCormick was a sailor in the U.S. Navy who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on May 5, 1864 at Red River, Louisiana during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Signal. McCormick was about 31 years old.
13 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day.
McCormick was born in 1833 in Ireland — one of 258 recipients born in Ireland. His Medal of Honor is credited to Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. McCormick died on May 19, 1865 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at the age of about 32. He is buried at Wood National Cemetery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
McCormick is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 210 credited to Illinois.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Served as boatswain's mate on board the U.S.S. Signal, Red River, 5 May 1864. Proceeding up the Red River, the U.S.S. Signal engaged a large force of enemy field batteries and sharpshooters, returning the fire until the ship was totally disabled, at which time the white flag was raised. Serving as gun captain and wounded early in the battle, McCormick bravely stood by his gun in the face of the enemy fire until ordered to withdraw.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- 1833Born in Ireland
- May 5, 1864Act of valor — Red River, LouisianaAge about 31. U.S.S. Signal
- May 19, 1865Died in Milwaukee, WisconsinAge about 32.
- Resting placeWood National CemeteryMilwaukee, Wisconsin
