George Norton Galloway
Civilian documents indicate George was born in 1844 but military records rely on his assertion that it was 1841. Like many others, he may have “inflated” his age when he…
Read MoreNicholas Lear
“A seaman for 35 years” describes Nicholas Lear’s lengthy career, but it accounts for less than half his life. Born in Providence, Rhode Island on March 3, 1825, his first…
Read MoreJames Martin
James was born in County Derry, Ireland but his early years, including his date and place of emigration remain a mystery. He felt called to serve his new country at…
Read MoreMichael Owens
Born in Manhattan in 1837, details on Michael’s civilian life are unknown except that he managed to avoid the Civil War entirely before he enlisted with the Marines in August…
Read MoreJohn Smith
His is one of the most common names in American culture, a name belonging to four different Medal of Honor winners, three of whom were in the Navy. But this…
Read MoreAugust Peter Teytand
The son of Danish parents, August Peter Teytand was born in St. Croix in the Virgin Islands on April 5, 1878, when it was a colony of Denmark. He came…
Read MoreWilliam Thompson
Born in 1812 and growing up next to the ocean in Cape May County, New Jersey, William could only imagine sailing on a ship like the ones he saw so…
Read MoreAlexander H. Truett
Alexander had a patriotic start to his life, born on the Fourth of July, 1833 in Baltimore, and he lived a patriotic life of service to his country as a…
Read MoreJohn Williams
Although he was born in New Orleans in 1828, John began his career in the Union Navy after a difficult start in life. The family apparently moved to New York…
Read MoreAlbert Beyer
Born in Hanover, Germany on June 13, 1859, Albert came to America when he was about six years old. He listed his hometown as Boston when he joined the Navy…
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