b. 14/09/1834 Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. d. 14/09/1885 Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 04/05/1864 Red River.
Asten was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in September 1834, and he entered the United States Navy in Chicago, Illinois, during the Civil War. In 1864, he served aboard the USS Signal, a U.S. tinclad, during the Red River Campaign.
On May 4, 1864, the USS Signal was ordered to proceed up the Red River with a bearer of dispatches from Major General Nathaniel Prentice Banks, the commander of the Union Red River Campaign forces. After traversing about 20 miles (32 km) on the river, the USS Signal met Confederate forces, and the ensuing conflict, which also involved the USS Covington and Army transport ship John Warner, continued into the night. On May 5, the Signal was disabled and the crew, including Asten, reluctantly abandoned the ship; having surrendered, they were captured on land.
Asten, who had, on May 5, carried out his duties despite being on the sick list, was awarded the Medal of Honor on December 31, 1864. George Butts, and six other fellow Signal crew members, also received Medals of Honor for their valor during the action.
MOH CITATION:
“Served on board the U.S.S. Signal, Red River, 5 May 1864. Proceeding up the Red River, the U.S.S. Signal engaged a large force of enemy field batteries and sharpshooters, returning their fire until the Federal ship was totally disabled, at which time the white flag was raised. Although on the sick list, Q.G. Asten courageously carried out his duties during the entire engagement.”
BURIAL LOCATION: ST FRANCIS CEMETERY, PAWTUCKET, RHODE ISLAND.
SECTION 22, LOT 111
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.
