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Master-at-Arms · U.S. Navy

Robert Teleford Clifford

Master-at-Arms Robert Teleford Clifford, Navy, received the Medal of Honor for actions on August 22, 1863 in New Topsail Inlet, off Wilmington, North Carolina during the Civil War.

U.S. Civil War August 22, 1863

Master-at-Arms Robert Teleford Clifford was a sailor in the U.S. Navy who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on August 22, 1863 in New Topsail Inlet, off Wilmington, North Carolina during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Shokokon. Clifford was about 28 years old.

He later rose to the rank of Master's Mate.

Clifford was born in 1835 in Pennsylvania. Clifford died on July 24, 1873 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the age of about 38. He is buried at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Records also list him as Kelley, Robert Teleford.

Clifford 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. Shokokon at New Topsail Inlet off Wilmington, N.C., 22 August 1863. Participating in a strategic plan to destroy an enemy schooner, Clifford aided in the portage of a dinghy across the narrow neck of land separating the sea from the sound. Launching the boat in the sound, the crew approached the enemy from the rear and Clifford gallantly crept into the rebel camp and counted the men who outnumbered his party three to one. Returning to his men, he ordered a charge in which the enemy was routed, leaving behind a schooner and a quantity of supplies.

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

Places

  • Born: Philadelphia — map
  • Died: Philadelphia — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Pennsylvania →

Timeline

  1. 1835
    Born in Pennsylvania
  2. August 22, 1863
    Act of valor — New Topsail Inlet, off Wilmington, North Carolina
    Age about 28. U.S.S. Shokokon
  3. July 24, 1873
    Died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
    Age about 38.
  4. Resting place
    Laurel Hill Cemetery
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Biography

Robert Teleford Clifford (c. 1835 to July 24, 1873) was a Master-at-Arms in the United States Navy who fought in the American Civil War. Clifford received the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action aboard the USS Shokokon at New Topsail Inlet near Wilmington, North Carolina on 22 August 1863. He was honored with the award on 31 December 1864.

From the Wikipedia article “Robert T. Clifford”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

More Civil War recipients from Pennsylvania

WC Walter Howard Cooke Captain · Army Civil War · 1861 JL James Parker Landis Chief Bugler · Army Civil War · 1865 FW Francis A. Wilson Corporal · Army Civil War · 1865 JW John Henry White Private · Army Civil War · 1862 HH Henry Hill Corporal · Army Civil War · 1864 JJ James T. Jennings Private · Army Civil War · 1864
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.