Charles Rice MOH

b. 1840 Russia. d. 09/09/1895 Westbrook, Maine.

DATE OF MOH ACTION: 23/12/1864 Fort Fisher, North Carolina.

Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient. He was born in Russia. He entered the Union Navy at Portland, Maine. His highest rank was Fireman Second Class. He was awarded the CMOH as a Coal Heaver. He was presented the award on May 12, 1865 aboard the USS Agawam off New Bern, North Carolina.

 

MOH CITATION:

On board the U.S.S. Agawam as one of a volunteer crew of a powder boat which was exploded near Fort Fisher, 23 December 1864. The powder boat, towed in by the Wilderness to prevent detection by the enemy, cast off and slowly steamed to within 300 yards of the beach. After fuses and fires had been lit and a second anchor with short scope let go to assure the boat’s tailing inshore, the crew boarded the Wilderness and proceeded a distance of 12 miles from shore. Less than two hours later the explosion took place, and the following day, fires were observed still burning at the fort.

 

BURIAL LOCATION: UNKNOWN.

LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.