Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient. He served in the Union Navy as a Seaman on board the sloop-of-war "USS Kearsarge." He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery in action when the "Kearsarge" fought and destroyed the Confederate Navy commerce raider "CSS Alabama" off Cherbourg, France on June 19, 1864. His citation reads "Acting as sponger of the No. 1 gun, during this bitter engagement, Lee exhibited marked coolness and good conduct and was highly recommended for his gallantry under fire by the divisional officer." His Medal of Honor was awarded to him on December 31, 1864. He was one of seventeen "Kearsarge" crewmen to be awarded the Medal of Honor for their bravery during the battle, including Paymaster's Steward Michael Ahern, Captain of the Top John F. Bickford, Boatswain's Mate William S. Bond, Captain of the Forecastle James Haley, Carpenter's Mate Mark G. Ham, Seaman George H. Harrison, Coxswain John Hayes, Seaman Charles Moore, Seaman Joachim Pease, Boatswain's Mate Thomas Perry, Quartermaster William B. Poole, Coxswain Charles A. Read, Seaman George E. Read, Chief Quartermaster James Saunders, Quartermaster William Smith and Captain of the Top Robert Strahan.
Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient. He served in the Union Navy as a Seaman on board the sloop-of-war "USS Kearsarge." He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery in action when the "Kearsarge" fought and destroyed the Confederate Navy commerce raider "CSS Alabama" off Cherbourg, France on June 19, 1864. His citation reads "Acting as sponger of the No. 1 gun, during this bitter engagement, Lee exhibited marked coolness and good conduct and was highly recommended for his gallantry under fire by the divisional officer." His Medal of Honor was awarded to him on December 31, 1864. He was one of seventeen "Kearsarge" crewmen to be awarded the Medal of Honor for their bravery during the battle, including Paymaster's Steward Michael Ahern, Captain of the Top John F. Bickford, Boatswain's Mate William S. Bond, Captain of the Forecastle James Haley, Carpenter's Mate Mark G. Ham, Seaman George H. Harrison, Coxswain John Hayes, Seaman Charles Moore, Seaman Joachim Pease, Boatswain's Mate Thomas Perry, Quartermaster William B. Poole, Coxswain Charles A. Read, Seaman George E. Read, Chief Quartermaster James Saunders, Quartermaster William Smith and Captain of the Top Robert Strahan.
Bio by: Don Morfe
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MEDAL OF HONOR
C OF TOP USS KEARSARGE
CIVIL WAR
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