John Lawson Medal of Honor Profile

NAME:  Lawson, John
BIRTH: PLACE Philadelphia , Pennsylvania
AGE: 26
COMPLEXION: Mulatto
OCCUPATION: Laborer
HEIGHT: 5' 8"
BRANCH: Navy
ENLISTMENT PLACE: New York
ENLISTMENT DATE:  Dec 3, 1863
TERM OF ENLISTMENT: 1
RATING: Landsman
DETAILED MUSTER RECORDS:
        Date ,      Vessel

• Mar 31, 1864 Hartford 
• Sep 30, 1864 Hartford 
• Jan 1, 1864 Hartford 

 Date of action : Aug 5, 1864

 Citation:
 On board the flagship U.S.S. Hartford during successful attacks against Fort Morgan, rebel gunboats and the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay on 5 August 1864. Wounded in the leg and thrown violently against the side of the ship when an enemy shell killed or wounded the 6-man crew as the shell whipped on the berth deck, Lawson, upon regaining his composure, promptly returned to his station and, although urged to go below for treatment, steadfastly continued his duties throughout the remainder of the action.

Attributions:

• Civil War Soldiers and Sailors Database
• Home of Heroes
• Wikipedia
• Civil War Trust