John S. Hickman

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Second Class Fireman John S. Hickman, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving on board the U.S.S. Richmond in the attack on Port Hudson, Louisiana, 14 March 1863. Damaged by a 6-inch solid rifle shot which shattered the starboard safety-valve chamber and also damaged the port safety-valve, the fireroom of the U.S.S. Richmond immediately became filled with steam to place it in an extremely critical condition. Acting courageously in this crisis, Second Class Fireman Hickman persisted in penetrating the steam-filled room in order to haul the hot fires of the furnaces and continued this action until the gravity of the situation had been lessened.