John Mack (Medal of Honor recipient)
Encyclopedia
Michael Connelly was a United States Navy
sailor and a Medal of Honor
recipient for his role in the American Civil War
. He served under the name John Mack.
Born in 1843 in Brooksville, Maine
, Connelly joined the Navy from that state. By March 5, 1865, he was serving as a seaman
on the . On that day and the next, he accompanied a Union Army force during the Battle of Natural Bridge
near St. Marks, Florida
. He helped transport and fire a naval howitzer
throughout the engagement despite heavy Confederate fire. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor three months later, on June 22, 1865; the medal was issued under the name "John Mack". He was one of six sailors to receive the medal for manning artillery pieces during the battle, the others being Landsman John S. Lann
, Seaman George Pyne
, Ordinary Seaman Charles Read
, Coxswain George Schutt
, and Seaman Thomas Smith
.
Connelly's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
He is buried in Saint Mary's Cemetery in Lynn, Massachusetts
. His grave can be found in Section 6, Row 6, Lot 18.
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...
sailor and a 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...
recipient for his role 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 served under the name John Mack.
Born in 1843 in Brooksville, Maine
Brooksville, Maine
Brooksville is a town in Hancock County, Maine, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town population was 934. It contains the villages of North Brooksville, South Brooksville , West Brooksville, Brooksville Corner, and Harborside .-History:It was first settled by John Wasson, Samuel Wasson and...
, Connelly joined the Navy from that state. By March 5, 1865, he was serving as a seaman
Seaman
Seaman is one of the lowest ranks in a Navy. In the Commonwealth it is the lowest rank in the Navy, followed by Able Seaman and Leading Seaman, and followed by the Petty Officer ranks....
on the . On that day and the next, he accompanied a Union Army force during the Battle of Natural Bridge
Battle of Natural Bridge
The Battle of Natural Bridge was a battle during the American Civil War, fought in what is now Woodville, Florida, near Tallahassee, on March 6, 1865...
near St. Marks, Florida
St. Marks, Florida
St. Marks is a city in Wakulla County, Florida, United States. It is part of the Tallahassee, Florida, Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 272 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 299 .-Geography:...
. He helped transport and fire a naval howitzer
Howitzer
A howitzer is a type of artillery piece characterized by a relatively short barrel and the use of comparatively small propellant charges to propel projectiles at relatively high trajectories, with a steep angle of descent...
throughout the engagement despite heavy Confederate fire. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor three months later, on June 22, 1865; the medal was issued under the name "John Mack". He was one of six sailors to receive the medal for manning artillery pieces during the battle, the others being Landsman John S. Lann
John S. Lann
John S. Lanning was a Union Navy sailor and a Medal of Honor recipient for his actions in the American Civil War. He served under the name John S. Lann....
, Seaman George Pyne
George Pyne
George Pyne 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 at the Battle of Natural Bridge....
, Ordinary Seaman Charles Read
Charles Read (Medal of Honor)
Charles Read 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 at the Battle of Natural Bridge....
, Coxswain George Schutt
George Schutt
George Schutt 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 at the Battle of Natural Bridge....
, and Seaman Thomas Smith
Thomas Smith (Medal of Honor)
Thomas 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 at the Battle of Natural Bridge....
.
Connelly's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
As seaman on board the U.S.S. Hendrick Hudson, St. Marks, Fla., 5 and 6 March 1865, Mack served with the Army in charge of Navy howitzers during the attack on St. Marks and, throughout this fierce engagement, made remarkable efforts in assisting transport of the gun. His coolness and determination in courageously standing by his gun while under the fire of the enemy were a credit to the service to which he belonged.
He is buried in Saint Mary's Cemetery in Lynn, Massachusetts
Lynn, Massachusetts
Lynn is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 89,050 at the 2000 census. An old industrial center, Lynn is home to Lynn Beach and Lynn Heritage State Park and is about north of downtown Boston.-17th century:...
. His grave can be found in Section 6, Row 6, Lot 18.
See also
- List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: M–P