SMITH, WILLARD M.
Rank 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.
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