Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Medal of Honor

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Captain of the Top

    Division:

    U.S.S. Lackawanna

    Action Date:

    August 5, 1864

    War Department, General Orders No. 45 (December 31, 1864)

    The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Captain of the Top John Edwards, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action, serving as second Captain of a gun 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. Wounded when an enemy shell struck, Captain of the Top Edwards refused to go below for aid and, as heavy return fire continued to strike his vessel, took the place of the First Captain and carried out his duties during the prolonged action which resulted in the capture of the prize ram Tennessee and in the damaging and destruction of batteries at Fort Morgan.