George E. Read

George E. Read (1838–1910) was an American sailor who received the Medal of Honor for valor in action during the American Civil War.

Biography

Read was born Rhode Island in 1838. On June 19, 1864 he was serving as a Seaman on the sloop of war USS Kearsarge (1861) when she sank the commerce raider CSS Alabama off Cherbourg, France. He was awarded his Medal of Honor for gallantry under fire exhibited while crewing the ship's Number 2 gun.

Read died in 1910 and is buried in Ancient Littleneck Cemetery in East Providence, Rhode Island.

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Seaman, U.S. Navy. Born: 1838, Rhode Island. Accredited to: Rhode Island. G.O. No.: 45, December 31, 1864

Citation:

Served as seaman on board the U.S.S. Kearsarge when she destroyed the Alabama off Cherbourg, France, 19 June 1864. Acting as the first loader of the No. 2 gun during this bitter engagement, Read exhibited marked coolness and good conduct and was highly recommended for his gallantry under fire by his divisional officer.

See also

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

References

• "Civil War Medal of Honor recipients (M-Z)". Archived from the original on February 23, 2009. Retrieved 2007-12-28. 

• "George E. Read". Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor recipients. Find a Grave. Retrieved 2007-12-28.