b. 04/05/1840 Nottingham, England. d. 15/11/1910 Mason City, Iowa.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 15/03/1865 Black River, North Carolina.
Henry I Smith MOH
Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient. He served as a First Lieutenant, in Company B, 7th Iowa Infantry. At Black River, North Carolina, on March 15, 1865, his company attempted to construct a pontoon bridge over a portion of the flooded river that was held by Confederate troops. In the midst of the struggle with the rebel defenders, one of his soldiers was swept away in the current. First Lieutenant Smith, threw off his coat and sword and swam to the soldier’s rescue, bringing him to shore to continue their mission. For valor in the face of the enemy, he was promoted Captain and awarded the Medal of Honor.
He did not receive his Medal until September 7, 1894.
MOH CITATION:
Voluntarily and under fire rescued a comrade from death by drowning.
BURIAL LOCATION: ELMWOOD CEMETERY, MASON CITY, IOWA.
ORIGINAL BLOCK 2, S17, LOT 59, GRAVE 1.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: BELIEVED TO BE FAMILY.
