John Coughlin

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Lieutenant Colonel John Coughlin, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 9 May 1864, while serving with Irish Regiment, 10th New Hampshire Infantry, in action at Swift Creek, Virginia. During a sudden night attack upon Burnham’s Brigade, resulting in much confusion, Lieutenant Colonel Coughlin, without waiting for orders, led his regiment forward and interposed a line of battle between the advancing enemy and Hunt’s Battery, repulsing the attack and saving the guns.