Alexander Crawford

Infobox Military Person
name=Alexander Crawford
born= 1842
died= March 17 death year and age|1886|1842
placeofbirth=Pennsylvania
placeofdeath=
placeofburial=


caption=
nickname=
allegiance= United States of America
branch= United States Navy
serviceyears=
rank=Fireman
commands=
unit=USS "Wyalusing"
battles=American Civil War
awards=Medal of Honor
laterwork=

Alexander Crawford (1842 – March 17, 1886) was a sailor in the United States Navy who served in the American Civil War. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the war.

Biography

Crawford was born in 1842 in Pennsylvania. He served as a fireman on the USS "Wyalusing" during the Civil War. On May 25, 1864, while the "Wyalusing" was sailing the Roanoke River, Crawford and fellow crewmembers Charles H. Baldwin, John Lafferty, Benjamin Lloyd, and John W. Lloyd volunteered for a mission to destroy the Confederate ironclad "Albermarle". The mission failed, but the men evaded capture and eventually made it back to the "Wyalusing". For their actions, the five men were each awarded the Medal of Honor.

Alexander Crawford died on March 17, 1886 and was buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Medal of Honor citation

Alexander Crawford's official Medal of Honor citation reads as follows:

:On board the U.S.S. "Wyalusing", Crawford volunteered May 25, 1864, in a night attempt to destroy the rebel ram "Albemarle" in the Roanoke River. Taking part in a plan to explode the rebel ram Albemarle, Crawford executed his part in the plan with perfection, but upon being discovered, was forced to abandon the plan and retire leaving no trace of the evidence. After spending two hazardous days and nights without food, he gained the safety of a friendly ship and was then transferred back to the "Wyalusing". Though the plan failed his skill and courage in preventing detection were an example of unfailing devotion to duty.

ee also

*List of Medal of Honor recipients
*

References

*findagrave|7217945 Retrieved on 2008-01-17
*cite web
last = U.S. Army Center of Military History
title = Civil War Medal of Honor Recipients - (A-L)
date = 2005-04-27
url = http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/civwaral.html
accessdate = 2006-08-18

Persondata
NAME= Crawford, Alexander
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION= United States Navy Medal of Honor recipient
DATE OF BIRTH=
PLACE OF BIRTH=
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=