Charles H. Baldwin (Medal of Honor recipient)
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This article is about the sailor Charles H. Baldwin. For other people with similar names, see Charles Baldwin.
| Charles H. Baldwin | |
|---|---|
| June 30, 1839 - January 22, 1911 | |
| Place of birth | Delaware |
| Allegiance | USN |
| Rank | Coal Heaver |
| Unit | USS Wyalusing |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
Charles H. Baldwin (30 June 1839 - 22 January 1911), was an enlisted man in the United States Navy during the American Civil War. He served aboard the USS Wyalusing and received the Medal of Honor for his participation in a plan to destroy the rebel ram CSS Albemarle in Roanoke River, 25 May 1864. Fellow crewmen Alexander Crawford, John Lafferty, Benjamin Lloyd, and John W. Lloyd were also awarded the Medal of Honor for participating in the same plan.
[edit] Medal of Honor Citation
- "Rank and organization: Coal Heaver, U.S. Navy. Born: 30 June 1839, Delaware. Accredited to: Pennsylvania. G.O. No.: 45, 31 December 1864. Citation: Serving on board the U.S.S. Wyalusing and participating in a plan to destroy the rebel ram Albermarle in Roanoke River, 25 May 1864. Volunteering for the hazardous mission, C.H. Baldwin participated in the transfer of 2 torpedoes across an island swamp. Weighted by a line which was used to transfer the torpedoes, he swam the river and, when challenged by a sentry, was forced to abandon the plan after erasing its detection and before it could be carried to completion. Escaping the fire of the muskets, C.H. Baldwin spent 2 days and nights of hazardous travel without food, and finally arrived, fatigued, at the mother ship."
[edit] Memorials
- The destroyer USS Baldwin (DD-624) is named in his honor.
[edit] References
This article includes text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
