Alexander Crawford
Encyclopedia
Alexander Crawford was a sailor in the United States Navy
who served in the American Civil War
. He received the Medal of Honor
for his actions during the war.
. He served as a fireman on the during the Civil War. On May 25, 1864, while the Wyalusing was sailing the Roanoke River
, Crawford and fellow crewmembers Charles H. Baldwin
, John Lafferty
, Benjamin Lloyd
, and John W. Lloyd
volunteered for a mission to destroy the Confederate ironclad
. The mission failed, but the men evaded capture and eventually made it back to the Wyalusing. For their actions, the five men were each received the Medal of Honor
.
Alexander Crawford died on March 17, 1886 and was buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery
, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
who served in the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. He received the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for his actions during the war.
Biography
Crawford was born in 1842 in PennsylvaniaPennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. He served as a fireman on the during the Civil War. On May 25, 1864, while the Wyalusing was sailing the Roanoke River
Roanoke River
The Roanoke River is a river in southern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina in the United States, 410 mi long. A major river of the southeastern United States, it drains a largely rural area of the coastal plain from the eastern edge of the Appalachian Mountains southeast across the Piedmont...
, Crawford and fellow crewmembers Charles H. Baldwin
Charles H. Baldwin (Medal of Honor recipient)
Charles H. Baldwin was an enlisted man in the United States Navy during the American Civil War. He served aboard the and received the Medal of Honor for his participation in a plan to destroy the rebel ram in Roanoke River, May 25, 1864. Fellow crewmen Alexander Crawford, John Lafferty,...
, John Lafferty
John Lafferty
John Lafferty or Laverty was a sailor in the U.S. Navy during the American Civil War and is one of only 19 people in history to receive the Medal of Honor twice.-Biography:...
, Benjamin Lloyd
Benjamin Lloyd
Benjamin Lloyd was a Coal Heaver in the Union Navy and a Medal of Honor recipient for his actions in the American Civil War.-Medal of Honor citation:...
, and John W. Lloyd
John W. Lloyd
John W. Lloyd was a Coxswain in the Union Navy and a Medal of Honor recipient for his actions in the American Civil War.-Medal of Honor citation:...
volunteered for a mission to destroy the Confederate ironclad
Ironclad warship
An ironclad was a steam-propelled warship in the early part of the second half of the 19th century, protected by iron or steel armor plates. The ironclad was developed as a result of the vulnerability of wooden warships to explosive or incendiary shells. The first ironclad battleship, La Gloire,...
. The mission failed, but the men evaded capture and eventually made it back to the Wyalusing. For their actions, the five men were each received the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
.
Alexander Crawford died on March 17, 1886 and was buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery
Cedar Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cedar Hill Cemetery is a historic cemetery in the Frankford neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was established by a company incorporated on March 25, 1850.-Notable interments:*Alexander Crawford , Medal of Honor recipient....
, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
.
Medal of Honor citation
Alexander Crawford's official Medal of Honor citation reads as follows:On board the U.S.S. Wyalusing, Crawford volunteered May 25, 1864, in a night attempt to destroy the rebel ram Albemarle in the Roanoke River. Taking part in a plan to explode the rebel ram Albemarle, Crawford executed his part in the plan with perfection, but upon being discovered, was forced to abandon the plan and retire leaving no trace of the evidence. After spending two hazardous days and nights without food, he gained the safety of a friendly ship and was then transferred back to the Wyalusing. Though the plan failed his skill and courage in preventing detection were an example of unfailing devotion to duty.
See also
- List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: A–F