b. 1849 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. d. ?
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 27/05/1872 USS Powhatan.
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1849, Cutter joined the Navy from that state in 1868. By May 27, 1872, he was serving as a landsman on the USS Powhatan. On that day, while the ship was at Norfolk, Virginia, Seaman James Mitchell fell from Powhatan’s rigging and landed in the water; he was rendered helpless in the fall. Cutter and two others, Second Assistant Engineer George Cowie and Ordinary Seaman Henry Couch, jumped overboard and saved Mitchell from drowning. For this action, Cutter was awarded the Medal of Honor a month and a half later, on July 9.
MOH CITATION:
On board the U.S.S. Powhatan, Norfolk, Va., 27 May 1872. Jumping overboard on this date, Cutter aided in saving one of the crew of that vessel from drowning.
BURIAL LOCATION: UNKNOWN.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER, WASHINGTON NAVY YARD, WASHINGTON DC.
