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Charles H. Smith (March 7, 1826 – February 4, 1898) 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 aboard the USS Rhode Island.

Biography

Smith was born March 7, 1826, in Standish, Maine, Jones was living in Maine when he joined the U.S. Navy. He served during the Civil War as a Coxswain on the USS Rhode Island.

Smith died September 4, 1900, in Concord, Vermont. He is buried in Ocean View Cemetery, Wells, Maine.

Medal of Honor citation

Smith's official Medal of Honor citation reads: Rank and organization: Coxswain, U.S. Navy. Born: 1826, Maine. Accredited to: Maine. G.O. No.: 59, 22 June 1865.

On board the USS Rhode Island which was engaged in rescuing men from the stricken USS Monitor in Mobile Bay, on December 30, 1862. After the Monitor sprang a leak and went down, Smith courageously risked his life in a gallant attempt to rescue members of the crew. Although he, too, lost his life during the hazardous operation, he had made every effort possible to save the lives of his fellow men..

See also

• List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: Q–S

References

1. "Smith v. City of Providence".
2. "Charles H. Smith". Hall of Valor. Military Times. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
3. ^ "Civil War Medal of Honor Recipients (M–Z)". Medal of Honor citations. United States Army Center of Military History. June 27, 2011. Archived from the original on September 1, 2019. Retrieved April 30, 2016.

• 1826 births
• 1898 deaths
• People of Maine in the American Civil War
• Union Navy sailors
• United States Navy Medal of Honor recipients
• American Civil War recipients of the Medal of Honor
• People from Standish, Maine