b. 1847 St John’s, Newfoundland. d. 16/04/1888 Chelsea, Massachusetts.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 26/07/1876 Navy Yard, New York.
Born in 1846 in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Kersey immigrated to the United States and was living in Everett, Massachusetts, when he joined the Navy on October 19, 1870, for a 3-year enlistment.
By July 26, 1876, he was serving as an ordinary seaman on the 14-gun screw sloop USS Plymouth. On that day, he rescued a crewmate from drowning at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor two weeks later, on August 9. Two other Plymouth sailors, Landsman William Corey and Seaman Charles Gidding, attempted to rescue a shipmate from drowning on the same day and also received the medal.
He later served on the USS Wabash and the USS New Hampshire. He was married to Mary C. Egan.
MOH CITATION:
Serving on board the U.S.S. Plymouth at the Navy Yard, New York, 26 July 1876, Kersey displayed bravery and presence of mind in rescuing from drowning one of the crew of that vessel.
BURIAL LOCATION: ST MARY’S CEMETERY, NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.
