Willard Moon Smith (1840-March 26, 1918) was a sergeant serving in the United States Marine Corps during the American Civil War who received the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Battle of Mobile Bay.
Willard M. Smith | |
|---|---|
.png) Civil War era Navy Medal of Honor | |
| Born | 1840 Allegany, New York, US |
| Died | March 26, 1918 (aged 77–78) Buffalo, New York, US |
| Place of burial | Elmlawn Cemetery Kenmore, New York |
| Allegiance |  United States of AmericaUnion |
| Service |  United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1862 - 1866 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit | USS Brooklyn |
| Battles / wars | American Civil War |
| Awards |  Medal of Honor |
Biography
editSmith was born in 1840 in Allegany, New York, and entered the Marine Corps from Brooklyn, New York on August 18, 1862. He was a corporal assigned to the Marine Detachment aboard the USS Brooklyn when it was sent to fight in the American Civil War during the Battle of Mobile Bay.[1][2]
He was discharged from the Marine Corps on August 19, 1866.[2] He died on March 26, 1918, and is buried at Elmlawn Cemetery in Kenmore, New York.[citation needed]
Medal of Honor citation
editRank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: 1840, Alleghany, N.Y. Accredited to: New York. G.O. No.: 45, 31 December 1864.
Citation:
On board the U.S.S. Brooklyn during action against rebel forts and gunboats, and with the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864. Despite severe damage to his ship and the loss of several men on board as enemy fire continued to fall, Cpl. Smith fought his gun with skill and courage throughout the furious 2 hour battle which resulted in the surrender of the rebel ram Tennessee.[1]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ a b "Civil War (M-Z); Smith, Willard M. entry". Medal of Honor recipients. United States Army Center of Military History. July 28, 2010. Retrieved August 9, 2010.
- ^ a b Schuon, Karl (1963). U. S. Marine Corps biographical dictionary. New York: Franklin Watts. p. 211.
External links
edit- "Willard M. Smith". Hall of Valor. Military Times. Retrieved August 9, 2010.
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