John Smith

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Captain of the Forecastle John Smith, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving on board the U.S.S. Lackawanna during the successful attacks against Fort Morgan, rebel gunboats and the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay, Alabama, 5 August 1864. Serving as a Gun Captain and finding he could not depress his gun when alongside the rebel ironclad Tennessee, Captain of the Forecastle Smith threw a hand holystone into one of the ports at a rebel using abusive language against the crew of the ship. He continued his daring action throughout the engagement which resulted in the capture of the prize ram Tennessee and in the damaging and destruction of Fort Morgan.

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Seaman John Smith, United States Navy, for gallant and heroic conduct in jumping overboard from the U.S.S. Shenandoah, at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 19 September 1880, and rescuing from drowning James Grady, First Class Fireman.

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