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US Naval Hospital Cemetery

Born:  1836 at Ireland

Entered Service in the US Navy from Maryland

Earned The Medal of Honor During the Civil War For heroism December 23 - 27, 1863 at Yazoo River Expedition, MS

During the period of December 23 - 27, 1862, the U.S.S. Benton proceeded under orders up the Yazoo River in Mississippi with the objective of capturing or destroying the enemy's transports. On December 27 the USS Benton engaged the enemy shore batteries in an hour-and-a-half battle during which the crew fought their guns bravely while in dead range of the confederate batteries. Boatswain's Mates William Martin, William Moore, Charles Morton, and Signal Quartermaster Robert Williams were all four awarded Medals of Honor in this action which saw their ship nearly destroyed by the heavy guns at Haine's and Drumgould's Bluffs and their commander mortally wounded. They fought their guns valiantly until the order was given for the badly battered ship to withdraw. Also receiving Medals of Honor in this expedition were Ordinary Seaman Peter Cotton, Captain of the Forecastle Pierre Leon, and Boatswain's Mates John McDonald and Charles Robinson, all of the U.S.S. Baron De Kalb.