The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor (Second Award) to Fireman First Class John Laverty, United States Navy, for gallant and heroic conduct while serving on board the U.S.S. Alaska at Callao Bay, Peru, 14 September 1881. Following the rupture of the stop-valve chamber on that vessel, Fireman First Class Laverty hauled the fires from under the boiler.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Medal of Honor
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Medal of Honor
Service:
United States NavyRank:
FiremanDivision:
U.S.S. WyalusingAction Date:
May 25, 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 (First Award) to Fireman John Lafferty, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving on board the U.S.S. Wyalusing. Fireman Lafferty participated in a plan to destroy the rebel ram Albemarle in Roanoke River, North Carolina, 25 May 1864. Volunteering for the hazardous mission, Fireman Lafferty participated in the transfer of two torpedoes across an island swamp and then served as sentry to keep guard of clothes and arms left by other members of the party. After being rejoined by others of the party who had been discovered before the plan could be completed, Lafferty succeeded in returning to the mother ship after spending 24 hours of discomfort in the rain and swamp.