b. 27/07/1838 Newport, Rhode Island. d. 07/12/1910 Bristol, Rhode Island.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 19/06/1864 Cherbourg, France.
Read was born in Rhode Island in 1838. On June 19, 1864, he served as a Seaman on the sloop of war USS Kearsarge (1861) when she sank the commerce raider CSS Alabama off Cherbourg, France. He was awarded his Medal of Honor for gallantry under fire exhibited while crewing the ship’s Number 2 gun.
MOH CITATION:
Served as seaman on board the U.S.S. Kearsarge when she destroyed the Alabama off Cherbourg, France, 19 June 1864. Acting as the first loader of the No. 2 gun during this bitter engagement, Read exhibited marked coolness and good conduct and was highly recommended for his gallantry under fire by his divisional officer.
BURIAL LOCATION: LITTLE NECK CEMETERY, RIVERSIDE, RHODE ISLAND.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: FAMILY.
