The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Seaman John M. Burns, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving on board the U.S.S. Lackawanna during successful attacks against Fort Morgan, rebel gunboats and the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay, Alabama, on 5 August 1864. Although severely wounded and sent below under the surgeon’s charge, Seaman Burns promptly returned to his station and assisted the powder division throughout the prolonged action which resulted in the capture of the rebel ram Tennessee and in the damaging and destruction of Fort Morgan.