b. 09/04/1841 Middleton, Massachusetts. d. 18/01/1919 Chelsea, Massachusetts.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 19/06/1864 off Cherbourg, France.
Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient. He served in the Union Navy as a Seaman on board the sloop-of-war “USS Kearsarge”. He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery in action when the “Kearsarge” fought and destroyed the Confederate Navy commerce raider “CSS Alabama” off Cherbourg, France on June 19, 1864. His citation reads “Acting as sponger and loader of the 11-inch pivot gun during the bitter engagement, Harrison exhibited marked coolness and good conduct and was highly recommended for his gallantry under fire by the divisional officer.” His Medal was awarded to him on December 31, 1864. He was one of seventeen “Kearsarge” crewmen to be awarded the Medal of Honor for their bravery during the battle, along with Paymaster’s Steward Michael Ahern, Captain of the Top John F. Bickford, Boatswain’s Mate William S. Bond, Captain of the Forecastle James Haley, Carpenter’s Mate Mark G. Ham, Coxswain John Hayes, Seaman James H. Lee, Seaman Charles Moore, Seaman Joachim Pease, Boatswain’s Mate Thomas Perry, Quartermaster William B. Poole, Coxswain Charles A. Read, Seaman George E. Read, Chief Quartermaster James Saunders, Quartermaster William Smith and Captain of the Top Robert Strahan.
MOH CITATION:
Served on board the U.S.S. Kearsarge when she destroyed the Alabama off Cherbourg, France, 19 June 1864. Acting as sponger and loader of the 11-inch pivot gun during the bitter engagement, Harrison exhibited marked coolness and good conduct and was highly recommended for his gallantry under fire by the divisional officer.
BURIAL LOCATION: FOREST DALE CEMETERY, MALDEN, MASSACHUSETTS.
SOLDIER’S HOME LOT, SECTION 24, GRAVE 754.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: BELIEVED TO BE FAMILY.
