John Lawson (Medal of Honor recipient)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

John Lawson
16 June 1837 – 3 May 1919
Landsman John Lawson
Place of birth	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Place of death	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Allegiance	United States Navy
Rank	Landsman
Unit	USS Hartford
Battles/wars	American Civil War * Battle of Mobile Bay
Awards	Medal of Honor

John Lawson (16 June 1837 – 3 May 1919) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the American Civil War. During the Battle of Mobile Bay, while serving as a member of USS Hartford's berth deck ammunition party, he was seriously wounded but remained at his post and continued to supply Hartford 's guns.

Landsman John Lawson's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

On board the flagship U.S.S. Hartford during successful attacks against Fort Morgan, rebel gunboats and the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay on 5 August 1864. Wounded in the leg and thrown violently against the side of the ship when an enemy shell killed or wounded the six-man crew at the shell whip on the berth deck, Lawson, upon regaining his composure, promptly returned to his station and, although urged to go below for treatment, steadfastly continued his duties throughout the remainder of the action.

John Lawson

John Lawson died at the age of 81 and was buried in Mount Peace Cemetery, Lawnside, New Jersey. A headstone for his grave was either never erected or was lost with time. A fire at the cemetery's office destroyed burial records, leaving Lawson's exact resting place within the cemetery unknown. At the urging of a local veteran, a new headstone memorializing John Lawson was erected within the cemetery in early 2004. On 24 April 2004, the headstone was dedicated at a ceremony attended by veteran's groups, politicians, several of Lawson's descendants, and local community members.