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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Paymaster's Steward · U.S. Navy

Richard Henry Seward

Paymaster's Steward Richard Henry Seward, Navy, received the Medal of Honor for actions on November 23, 1863 at Ship Island Sound, Louisiana during the Civil War.

U.S. Civil War November 23, 1863

Serving as a sailor in the U.S. Navy, Paymaster's Steward Richard Henry Seward received the Medal of Honor for his actions on November 23, 1863 at Ship Island Sound, Louisiana during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Commodore. Seward was 33 years old.

2 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. He later rose to the rank of Master's Mate.

Seward was born on October 10, 1830 in Kittery, York County, Maine. Seward died on May 30, 1899, at the age of 68. He is buried at First Christian Church Cemetery in Kittery Point, Maine. Records also list him as Seaward, Richard Henry.

Seward is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 66 credited to Maine.

Official Medal of Honor citation

Served as paymaster's steward on board the U.S.S. Commodore, November 1863. Carrying out his duties courageously, Seward "volunteered to go on the field amidst a heavy fire to recover the bodies of two soldiers which he brought off with the aid of others; a second instance of personal valor within a fortnight." Promoted to acting master's mate.

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

Timeline

  1. October 10, 1830
    Born in Kittery, York County, Maine
  2. November 23, 1863
    Act of valor — Ship Island Sound, Louisiana
    Age 33. U.S.S. Commodore
  3. May 30, 1899
    Died
    Age 68.
  4. Resting place
    First Christian Church Cemetery
    Kittery Point, Maine

Also honored for actions on November 23, 1863

Henry Alanson Barnum Colonel · Army Civil War · 1863 John James Toffey First Lieutenant · Army Civil War · 1863

More Civil War recipients from Maine

Joseph Sewall Smith Lieutenant Colonel · Army Civil War · 1864 CR Charles Rice Coal Heaver · Navy Civil War · 1864 Charles Porter Mattocks Colonel · Army Civil War · 1865 AM Adam McCullock Seaman · Navy Civil War · 1864 ✦ Andrew Barclay Spurling Lieutenant Colonel · Army Civil War · 1865 FH Frank W. Haskell Sergeant Major · Army Civil War · 1862
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.