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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --
Landsman John Lawson, USN, (1837-1919)
John Lawson was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on 16 June
1837. In 1864, he was a member of USS Hartford's crew.
During the Battle of Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864, while serving
as a member of the ship's berth deck ammunition party, he was
seriously wounded but remained at his post and continued to supply
Hartford's guns. For his heroism in this action, he was
awarded the Medal of Honor.
John Lawson died on 3 May 1919 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and
is buried at Mount Peace Cemetary, Camden, New Jersey.
This page features the only images we have concerning John
Lawson.
Click on the small photograph to prompt
a larger view of the same image.
Photo #: NH 79929
Landsman John Lawson
Who was awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism aboard USS Hartford
during the Battle of Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864.
Copied from Deeds of Valor, Volume II, page 70, published
in 1907 by the Perrien-Keydel Co., Detroit, Michigan.
US Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 57KB; 590 x 765 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 103781
Landsman John Lawson
U.S. Navy Poster photographed in 1970. John Lawson was awarded
the Medal of Honor for heroism aboard USS Hartford during
the Battle of Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864.
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the
Naval Historical Center.
Online Image: 78KB; 740 x 615 pixels |
 |
Medal of Honor citation of Landsman John Lawson (as printed
in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949,
The Navy", pages 34-35):
"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 six-man crew at the
shell whip 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." |
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Page made 11 November 1998
Introductory text updated and new image added 8 May 2006