Edwin Smith (Medal of Honor)
Encyclopedia
Edwin Smith was a Union Navy
sailor in the American Civil War
and a recipient of the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor
, for his actions during the Joint Expedition Against Franklin
.
Born in 1841 in New York, New York, Smith joined the Navy from that state. By October 3, 1862, he was serving as an ordinary seaman on the . On that day, during the Joint Expedition Against Franklin
, Virginia, Smith swam to shore despite heavy Confederate
fire to assist his ship after it became grounded in the Blackwater River. He was later awarded the Medal of Honor for this act.
Smith's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
Union Navy
The Union Navy is the label applied to the United States Navy during the American Civil War, to contrast it from its direct opponent, the Confederate States Navy...
sailor 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...
and a recipient of the U.S. military's highest decoration, 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 Joint Expedition Against Franklin
Joint Expedition Against Franklin
The Joint Expedition Against Franklin was a joint engagement between the United States Army & Navy against the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. The engagement was intended to move Union forces into an area where Confederate forces were gathering as they prepared to move on...
.
Born in 1841 in New York, New York, Smith joined the Navy from that state. By October 3, 1862, he was serving as an ordinary seaman on the . On that day, during the Joint Expedition Against Franklin
Joint Expedition Against Franklin
The Joint Expedition Against Franklin was a joint engagement between the United States Army & Navy against the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. The engagement was intended to move Union forces into an area where Confederate forces were gathering as they prepared to move on...
, Virginia, Smith swam to shore despite heavy Confederate
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
fire to assist his ship after it became grounded in the Blackwater River. He was later awarded the Medal of Honor for this act.
Smith's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
On board the U.S.S. Whitehead in the attack upon Franklin, Va., 3 October 1862. When his ship became grounded in a narrow passage as she rounded a bend in the Blackwater River, Smith, realizing the hazards of lowering a boat voluntarily swam to shore with a line under the enemy's heavy fire. His fearless action enabled his ship to maintain steady fire and keep the enemy in check during the battle.