John G. Morrison facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John G. Morrison
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Medal of Honor recipient
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Born | Ireland |
13 July 1838
Died | 9 June 1897 New York City, US |
(aged 58)
Place of burial |
Cypress Hills Cemetery, Brooklyn New York
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Allegiance | United States of America Union |
Service/ |
United States Navy Union Navy Union Army |
Years of service | 1861-1865 |
Rank | Coxswain |
Unit | USS Carondelet |
Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Awards | Medal of Honor |
John Gordon Morrison (13 July 1838 – 9 June 1897) served in the American Civil War, receiving the Medal of Honor in 1862.
Contents
Biography
Morrison was born in Ireland and came to the United States in 1855. Enlisting in the 30th New York Infantry at Lansingburgh, New York, 24 April 1861, he volunteered for service on gunboat USS Carondelet on 15 February 1862. He was appointed coxswain. He later received the Medal of Honor for exceptional bravery during an engagement on 15 July 1862, with Confederate ram CSS Arkansas in the Yazoo River. He was an inspiring example to the crew during Carondelet's unsuccessful attempt to halt the ironclad ram's progress through the Union blockade to the Mississippi River. . Coxswain Morrison was discharged from the Navy on 31 March 1863. In September 1864, he enlisted at Troy, New York in the 21st New York Cavalry Regiment, mustered in as a private, and mustered out in May 1865 at Bladensburg, Maryland.
Later life
Morrison died in New York City on 9 June 1897.
He is buried in Cypress Hills Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York. His grave can be found in section 9, lot 359.
Namesake
In 1943, the destroyer USS Morrison (DD-560) was named in his honor.