George E. Read

George E. Read
Civil War era Navy Medal of Honor
BornJuly 27, 1837
Rhode Island, US
DiedDecember 7, 1910
Bristol, Rhode Island, US
Place of burial
Ancient Littleneck Cemetery, East Providence, Rhode Island
AllegianceUnited States of America
Union
Service / branchUnited States Navy
Union Navy
RankSeaman
UnitUnited States Navy USS Kearsarge
Battles / warsAmerican Civil War
AwardsMedal of Honor

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

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Read was born in Rhode Island in 1838. On June 19, 1864, he served 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 was buried in Ancient Littleneck Cemetery in East Providence, Rhode Island.

Medal of Honor citation

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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

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References

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