Return to Naval Historical Center home page. Return to Online Library Listing

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Photo # NH 79929:  Landsman John Lawson

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.


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

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."


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

Page made 11 November 1998
Introductory text updated and new image added 8 May 2006