Quartermaster Robert N. Anderson was a sailor in the U.S. Navy who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on July 10, 1863 in Charleston, South Carolina during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Crusader and the U.S.S. Keokuk. Anderson was 19 years old.
He later rose to the rank of Acting Master's Mate.
Anderson was born on December 15, 1843 in Ireland — one of 258 recipients born in Ireland. His Medal of Honor is credited to New Hampshire. Anderson died on June 20, 1900 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, at the age of 56. He is buried at Calvary Cemetery in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
Anderson is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 35 credited to New Hampshire.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Served on board the U.S.S. Crusader and the Keokuk during various actions of those vessels. Carrying out his duties skillfully while on board the U.S.S. Crusader, Q.M. Anderson, on all occasions, set forth the greatest intrepidity and devotion. During the attack on Charleston, while serving on board the U.S.S. Keokuk, Q.M. Anderson was stationed at the wheel when shot penetrated the house and, with the scattering of the iron, used his own body as a shield for his commanding officer.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: American Civil War.
Places
- Born: Ireland — map
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New Hampshire →
Timeline
- December 15, 1843Born in Ireland
- July 10, 1863Act of valor — Charleston, South CarolinaAge 19. U.S.S. Crusader and the U.S.S. Keokuk
- June 20, 1900Died in Portsmouth, New HampshireAge 56.
- Resting placeCalvary CemeteryPortsmouth, New Hampshire
Biography
Robert N Anderson (December 25, 1843 – June 20, 1900) was a Union Navy sailor in the American Civil War and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.
From the Wikipedia article “Robert Anderson (Medal of Honor)”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
