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Captain of the Forecastle · U.S. Navy

Pierre Leon

Captain of the Forecastle Pierre Leon, Navy, received the Medal of Honor for actions between December 23 and 27, 1862 at Yazoo River, Mississippi during the Civil War.

U.S. Civil War December 23 - 27, 1862Born in Italy

Serving as a sailor in the U.S. Navy, Captain of the Forecastle Pierre Leon received the Medal of Honor for his actions between December 23 and 27, 1862 at Yazoo River, Mississippi during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Baron De Kalb. Leon was 24 years old.

4 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. Presentation: Medal of Honor mailed to his commanding officer on May 26, 1863, Leon acknowledged receipt of the Medal via letter on June 11, 1863.

Leon was born on August 23, 1838 in Italy — one of 5 recipients born in Italy. His Medal of Honor is credited to Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. Leon died on December 7, 1915 in Riverside, New Jersey, at the age of 77. He is buried at St. Peter's Cemetery in Burlington, New Jersey.

Leon is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 380 credited to Pennsylvania.

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 fired. 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 larger quantities of enemy equipment and several prisoners. Serving bravely throughout this action, Leon, as captain of the forecastle, "distinguished himself in the various actions."

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: American Civil War.

Places

  • Born: Nice — map
  • Died: Riverside — map
  • Buried: Saint Peter's Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Pennsylvania →

Timeline

  1. August 23, 1838
    Born in Italy
  2. December 23 - 27, 1862
    Act of valor — Yazoo River, Mississippi
    Age 24. U.S.S. Baron De Kalb
  3. December 7, 1915
    Died in Riverside, New Jersey
    Age 77.
  4. Resting place
    St. Peter's Cemetery
    Burlington, New Jersey

Biography

Pierre Leon (August 23, 1838 – December 7, 1915) was a Captain of the Forecastle in the Union Navy and a Medal of Honor recipient for his actions in the American Civil War.

From the Wikipedia article “Pierre Leon”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Also honored for actions on December 23 - 27, 1862

PC Peter Cotton Ordinary Seaman · Navy Civil War · 1862 Henry Fox Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1862 JM John McDonald Boatswain's Mate · Navy Civil War · 1862 CR Charles Robinson Boatswain's Mate · Navy Civil War · 1862

More Civil War recipients from Pennsylvania

Joseph Kirby Corson Assistant Surgeon · Army Civil War · 1863 Gotlieb Luty Corporal · Army Civil War · 1863 John Ortega Seaman · Navy Civil War FC Francis Marion Cunningham First Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1865 CB Charles Blucher Corporal · Army Civil War · 1864 WW William Williams Landsman · Navy Civil War · 1863
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.