b. 1836 New York. d. ?
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 19/06/1864 off Cherbourg, France.
Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient. He served in the Union Navy as a Boatswain’s Mate 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 captain of the No. 2 gun during this bitter engagement, Perry exhibited marked coolness and good conduct under the enemy fire and was recommended for gallantry by his divisional officer.” His Medal was awarded to him on December 31, 1864. After the war and his discharge from the United States Navy, he disappeared into history, and his subsequent life and final disposition remain unknown. He was one of seventeen “Kearsarge” crewmen to be awarded the Medal of Honor for their bravery during the battle, including 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, Seaman George H. Harrison, Coxswain John Hayes, Seaman James H. Lee, Seaman Charles Moore, Seaman Joachim Pease, 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 as boatswain’s mate on board the U.S.S. Kearsarge when she destroyed the Alabama off Cherbourg, France, 19 June 1864. Acting as captain of the No. 2 gun during this bitter engagement, Perry exhibited marked coolness and good conduct under the enemy fire and was recommended for gallantry by his divisional officer.
BURIAL LOCATION: UNKNOWN.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.