Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Medal of Honor

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Boatswain’s Mate

    Division:

    U.S.S. Brooklyn

    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 Boatswain’s Mate Richard Dennis, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving on board the U.S.S. Brooklyn during successful attacks against Fort Morgan, rebel gunboats and the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay, Alabama, on 5 August 1864. Despite severe damage to his ship and the loss of several men on board as enemy fire raked her decks from stem to stern, Boatswain’s Mate Dennis displayed outstanding skill and courage in operating the torpedo catcher and in assisting in working the bow chasers throughout the furious battle which resulted in the surrender of the prize rebel ram Tennessee and in the damaging and destruction of batteries at Fort Morgan.