The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Coxswain Charles A. Read, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action as Coxswain on board the U.S.S. Kearsarge when she destroyed the Alabama off Cherbourg, France, 19 June 1864. Acting as the first sponger of the pivot gun during this bitter engagement, Coxswain Read exhibited marked coolness and good conduct and was highly recommended for his gallantry under fire by his divisional officer.