John F. Bickford

John F. Bickford (March 12, 1843 – April 28, 1927) received the Medal of Honor in the American Civil War.

John F. Bickford
Civil War era Navy Medal of Honor
Born(1843-03-12)March 12, 1843
Tremont, Maine
DiedApril 28, 1927(1927-04-28) (aged 84)
Place of burial
Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Gloucester, Massachusetts
AllegianceUnited States of America
Union
Service/branchUnited States Navy
Union Navy
Years of service1862 - 1865
RankMaster's Mate
Battles/warsBattle of Cherbourg (1864)
AwardsMedal of Honor

Biography

Bickford was born in Tremont, Maine, and joined the Navy from Boston, Massachusetts in January 1862. He rose to the rank of captain of the top (roughly equivalent to the modern day rank of petty officer) and was assigned to the USS Kearsarge. He participated in the Kearsarge's historic engagement with the CSS Alabama on June 19, 1864. Bickford later received the Medal of Honor for heroism during this battle.

After the battle, he was promoted to Acting Master's Mate in July 1864. He was discharged from the Navy in June 1865. [1]

He was a companion of the Naval Order of the United States.

Bickford died on April 28, 1927. He is buried at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Gloucester, Massachusetts.[2]

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Captain of the Top, U.S. Navy. Born: 1843, Tremont, Maine. Accredited to: Maine. G.O. No.: 45, December 31, 1864.

Citation:

Served on board the U.S.S. Kearsarge when she destroyed the Alabama off Cherbourg, France, June 19, 1864. Acting as the first loader of the pivot gun during this bitter engagement Bickford exhibited marked coolness and good conduct and was highly recommended for his gallantry under fire by his divisional officer.

See also

References
  1. Massachusetts Soldiers, Sailors and Marines in the Civil War
  2. Gaines, Nancy (July 3, 2011). "'Mustering' for the Civil War, 150 years ago". Gloucester Daily Times. Gloucester, Massachusetts. Archived from the original on October 10, 2012.


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