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Photo # NH 105503:  Medal of Honor awarded to Samuel W. Davis

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Ordinary Seaman Samuel W. Davis, USN, (Born in 1845)

Samuel W. Davis was born in 1845 in Brewer, Maine. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy from that state and served as an Ordinary Seaman on board USS Brooklyn during the American Civil War. While his ship was under intense enemy fire during the the Battle of Mobile Bay, Alabama on 5 August 1864, Davis displayed "extreme courage" while acting as a look-out for torpedoes (sea mines) and other obstructions. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his conduct in that action.

This page features the only image we have concerning Samuel W. Davis.


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Photo #: NH 105503

U.S. Navy Medal of Honor


Reverse of a Medal of Honor awarded to Ordinary Seaman Samuel W. Davis, USN, for "extreme courage" while acting as a look-out for torpedoes and other obstructions on board USS Brooklyn during the furious action at the Battle of Mobile Bay, Alabama, 5 August 1864.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 34KB; 580 x 765 pixels

 



Medal of Honor citation of Ordinary Seaman Samuel W. Davis, USN (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 21):

"On board the U.S.S. Brooklyn during successful attacks against Fort Morgan, rebel gunboats and the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay, 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, DAVIS exercised extreme courage and vigilance while acting as a look-out for torpedoes and other obstructions throughout the furious battle which resulted in the surrrender of the prize rebel ram Tennessee and in the damaging and destruction of batteries at Fort Morgan."


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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Page made 20 February 2008