USN Morrison, John G.

John Gordon Morrison​

Birth Date: November 3, 1842 (or July 13, 1838)

Place of Birth: Ireland

Wife: Margaret Ann McCabe

Married: July 3, 1859 in Lansingburgh, Rensselaer, New York

Children:

Jane Francis "Jennie" Morrison Owens (1861-1903)​

(Buried: Cypress Hills Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York)​

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Francis X. Morrison (1864–1933)​

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John S Morrison (1866–1924)​

(Buried: Hazel Wood Cemetery, Colonia, New Jersey)​

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Edward J Morrison (1868–1943)​

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Ann V Morrison (1870–1943)​

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Samuel W Morrison (1873–1917)​

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Robert E Morrison (1875-1954)​

(Buried: Old Saint Raymond's Cemetery, Bronx, New York)​

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Charles A Morrison (b abt 1878)​

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Margaret M Morrison (1881–1955)​

Antebellum History:

1855: Immigrated to Lansingburgh, New York​

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Worked as a brushmaker​

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1857: Joined the U.S. Navy on July 14​

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Assigned to the Steam Screw Frigate USS Wabash​

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On patrol near Panama​

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At end of sailing, was discharged, but he reenlisted.​

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Assigned to supply ship USS Relief​

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1859: Returned home to New York​

Civil War History:

1861: Enlisted in the 30th New York Volunteer Infantry on April 24​

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Volunteered to serve in the west, assigned duty onboard USS Carondelet, an ironclad river gunboat that took part in the campaign against Vicksburg, Mississippi​

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1862: On July 15, Morrison and his Carondelet shipmates were part of a Union scouting force probing up the Yazoo River when they spotted the Confederate ironclad ram CSS Arkansas, but in attempting to blockade the ironclad, the Carondelet was badly damaged in the ensuing fight and the crew were forced ashore. During the melee, Morrison managed to make it to the ship's guns and hit the Arkansas broadside as it passed.​

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Served on the USS Lafayette​

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1864: Reenlisted for a fourth time with the 21st New York Cavalry in September.​

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1865: Awarded Medal of Honor, by General Order No. 59, Issued June 22​

Died: June 9, 1897

Place of Death: New York City, New York

Age at Time of Death: 58 Years Old

Buried at: Cypress Hills Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York

Historical Legacy:

1943: The destroyer USS Morrison (DD-560) was named in his honor.​

Rank and organization: Coxswain, U.S. Navy.

Medal of Honor Citation​

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Coxswain John G. Morrison, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action, serving as Coxswain on board the U.S.S. Carondelet. Coxswain Morrison was commended for meritorious conduct in general and especially for his heroic conduct and his inspiring example to the crew in the engagement with the rebel ram Arkansas, Yazoo River, Mississippi, 15 July 1862. When the Carondelet was badly cut up, several of her crew killed, many wounded and others almost suffocated from the effects of escaped steam, Coxswain Morrison was the leader when boarders were called on deck, and the first to return to the guns and give the ram a broadside as she passed. His presence of mind in time of battle or trial is reported as always conspicuous and encouraging. ​

Additional Story Here:
https://www.defense.gov/explore/sto...f-honor-monday-navy-coxswain-john-g-morrison/

 

[Seduzal]

Wow! What an exciting story. Thanks for sharing this awesome article.

 

[UCVRelics]

Wow 4 reenlistment's there wasn't any quite in him.

 

[gentlemanrob]