Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Medal of Honor

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Division:

    U.S.S. Mississippi

    Action Date:

    March 14, 1863

    War Department, General Orders No. 17 (July 10, 1863)

    The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Sergeant Pinkerton Ross Vaughn, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in action on board the U.S.S. Mississippi during her abandonment and firing in the action with the Port Hudson batteries, 14 March 1863. During the abandonment of the Mississippi which had to be grounded, Sergeant Vaughn rendered invaluable assistance to his commanding officer, remaining with the ship until all the crew had landed and the ship had been fired to prevent its falling into enemy hands. Persistent until the last, and conspicuously cool under the heavy shellfire, Sergeant Vaughn was finally ordered to save himself as he saw fit.