Pilot Perry Wilkes 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. Wilkes was 34 years old.
13 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day.
Wilkes was born on April 6, 1830 in Indiana. His Medal of Honor is credited to Jeffersonville, Clark County, Indiana. Wilkes died on March 6, 1889 in Louisville, Kentucky, at the age of 58. He is buried at Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville, Kentucky.
Wilkes is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 75 credited to Indiana.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Served as pilot 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 their fire until the ship was totally disabled, at which time the white flag was ordered raised. Acting as pilot throughout the battle, Wilkes stood by his wheel until it was disabled in his hands by a bursting enemy shell.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Places
- Buried: Cave Hill Cemetery — map
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Indiana →
Timeline
- April 6, 1830Born in Indiana
- May 5, 1864Act of valor — Red River, LouisianaAge 34. U.S.S. Signal
- March 6, 1889Died in Louisville, KentuckyAge 58.
- Resting placeCave Hill CemeteryLouisville, Kentucky
Biography
Perry Wilkes (June 6, 1830 – March 19, 1889) was an American sailor who was awarded the Medal of Honor for actions during the American Civil War.
From the Wikipedia article “Perry Wilkes”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
