John Cooper

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Coxswain John Cooper, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving on board the U.S.S. Brooklyn during action against rebel forts and gunboats and with the ram Tennessee, in Mobile Bay, Alabama, 5 August 1864. Despite severe damage to his ship and the loss of several men on board as enemy fire raked her decks from stem to stern, Coxswain Cooper fought his gun with skill and courage throughout the furious battle which resulted in the surrender of the prize rebel ram Tennessee and in the damaging and destruction of batteries at Fort Morgan.

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Quartermaster John Cooper, United States Navy, for gallant conduct and distinguished service while serving as Quartermaster on Acting Rear Admiral Thatcher’s staff, during the terrific fire at Mobile, Alabama, on 26 April 1865. At the risk of being blown to pieces by exploding shells, Quartermaster Cooper advanced through the burning locality, rescued a wounded man from certain death, and bore him on his back to a place of safety.