Serving as a sailor in the U.S. Navy, Seaman Samuel Woods received the Medal of Honor for his actions on April 14, 1863 at Nansemond River, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Mount Washington. Woods was about 25 years old.
4 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. He later rose to the rank of Boatswain's Mate.
Woods was born in 1838 in San Francisco, San Francisco County, California. His Medal of Honor is credited to California. Woods died on May 23, 1893 in Portsmouth, Virginia, at the age of about 55. He is buried at Oak Grove Cemetery in Portsmouth, Virginia.
Woods is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 142 credited to California.
Official Medal of Honor citation
As captain of the gun, served temporarily on board the U.S.S. Mount Washington during the Nansemond River action, 14 April 1863. When one of his comrades was struck by a bullet and knocked overboard, Woods fearlessly jumped into the water and swam after him. Before he reached him, the man sank beneath the surface and Woods promptly swam back to the vessel, went to his gun, and fought it to the close of the action. At the close of the battle, he tirelessly cared for the wounded.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- 1838Born in San Francisco, San Francisco County, California
- April 14, 1863Act of valor — Nansemond River, VirginiaAge about 25. U.S.S. Mount Washington
- May 23, 1893Died in Portsmouth, VirginiaAge about 55.
- Resting placeOak Grove CemeteryPortsmouth, Virginia
