b. 1846 New York. d. 15/09/1875 Indianola, Texas.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 03/10/1862 Franklin, Virginia.
Born in about 1841 in New York, New York, Smith joined the Navy from that state. By October 3, 1862, he was serving as an ordinary seaman on the USS Whitehead. On that day, during the Joint Expedition Against Franklin, Virginia, Smith swam to shore despite heavy Confederate fire to assist his ship after it became grounded in the Blackwater River. He was later awarded the Medal of Honor for this act.
Smith was promoted to Master’s Mate the same month, but his appointment was revoked in March 1865 due to sickness. He was dishonorably discharged in April 1867. He died in a hurricane in Indianola, Texas in 1875.
MOH CITATION:
On board the U.S.S. Whitehead in the attack upon Franklin, Va., 3 October 1862. When his ship became grounded in a narrow passage as she rounded a bend in the Blackwater River, Smith, realizing the hazards of lowering a boat, voluntarily swam to shore with a line under the enemy’s heavy fire. His fearless action enabled his ship to maintain steady fire and keep the enemy in check during the battle.
BURIAL LOCATION: BODY NOT RECOVERED.
IN MEMORY OF MARKER AT PORT LAVACA CEMETERY, PORT LAVACA, TEXAS.
SECTION 63, FLAG POLE ROW, AREA 1.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.
