George Schutt (1833 – unknown) was a Union Navy sailor in the American Civil War and a recipient of the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions at the Battle of Natural Bridge. Born in 1833 in Ireland, Schutt joined the U.S. Navy from the state of New York. By March 5, 1865, he was serving as a coxswain on the . On that day and the next, he accompanied a Union Army force during the Battle of Natural Bridge near

St. Marks, Florida St. Marks is a city in Wakulla County, Florida, United States. It is part of the Tallahassee metropolitan area. The population was 293 at the 2010 census. As of 2018, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 319. Geography St. Marks ...

. He helped transport and fire a naval

howitzer A howitzer () is a long- ranged weapon, falling between a cannon (also known as an artillery gun in the United States), which fires shells at flat trajectories, and a mortar, which fires at high angles of ascent and descent. Howitzers, like ot ...

throughout the engagement despite heavy Confederate fire. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor three months later, on June 22, 1865. He was one of six sailors to receive the medal for manning artillery pieces during the battle, the others being Landsman John S. Lann, Seaman

John Mack John Mack may refer to: * John Martin Mack (1715–1784), Moravian bishop * John Mack (Medal of Honor recipient) (1843–1881), American Civil War sailor and Medal of Honor recipient * John J. Mack (coach) (1870–1923), Yale University track coac ...

, Seaman

George Pyne George Pyne may refer to: * George Pyne (Medal of Honor) (1841–?), English Medal of Honor recipient * George Pyne II (1909–1974), American football player * George Pyne III (1941–2015), American football player * George Pyne (business executi ...

, Ordinary Seaman Charles Read, and Seaman Thomas Smith. Schutt's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

As coxswain on board the U.S.S. ''Hendrick Hudson'', St. Marks, Fla., 5 and 6 March 1865. Serving with the army in charge of Navy howitzers during the attack on St. Marks and throughout the fierce engagement, Schutt made remarkable efforts in assisting transport of the gun, and his coolness and determination in courageously remaining by his gun while under the heavy fire of the enemy were a credit to the service to which he belonged.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Schutt, George 1833 births Year of death missing Irish emigrants to the United States (before 1923) People of New York (state) in the American Civil War Union Navy sailors United States Navy Medal of Honor recipients Irish-born Medal of Honor recipients Irish sailors in the United States Navy American Civil War recipients of the Medal of Honor