John Anglin (October 6, 1850 – September 6, 1905) was a sailor in the

U.S. Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage of ...

during the

American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union ("the North") and the Confederacy ("the South"), the latter formed by states th ...

. He received the

Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the United States Armed Forces' highest military decoration and is awarded to recognize American soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, guardians and coast guardsmen who have distinguished themselves by acts of valor. ...

for his actions during the

Second Battle of Fort Fisher The Second Battle of Fort Fisher was a successful assault by the Union Army, Navy and Marine Corps against Fort Fisher, south of Wilmington, North Carolina, near the end of the American Civil War in January 1865. Sometimes referred to as the "Gib ...

on January 15, 1865. His last name is often misspelled Angling. He was one of the youngest ever Medal of Honor recipients.

Military service

Anglin volunteered for service in the U.S. Navy and was assigned as a Cabin Boy to the Union side-wheel gunboat . His enlistment is credited to the state of

Maine Maine () is a state in the New England and Northeastern regions of the United States. It borders New Hampshire to the west, the Gulf of Maine to the southeast, and the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Quebec to the northeast and north ...

. On January 15, 1865, the

North Carolina North Carolina () is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States. The state is the 28th largest and 9th-most populous of the United States. It is bordered by Virginia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Georgia and So ...

Confederate stronghold of

Fort Fisher Fort Fisher was a Confederate fort during the American Civil War. It protected the vital trading routes of the port at Wilmington, North Carolina, from 1861 until its capture by the Union in 1865. The fort was located on one of Cape Fear River' ...

was taken by a combined Union storming party of sailors, marines, and soldiers under the command of Admiral

David Dixon Porter David Dixon Porter (June 8, 1813 – February 13, 1891) was a United States Navy admiral and a member of one of the most distinguished families in the history of the U.S. Navy. Promoted as the second U.S. Navy officer ever to attain the rank o ...

and General

Alfred Terry Alfred Howe Terry (November 10, 1827 – December 16, 1890) was a Union general in the American Civil War and the military commander of the Dakota Territory from 1866 to 1869, and again from 1872 to 1886. In 1865, Terry led Union troops to vic ...

. Fourteen-year-old Anglin was exposed to enemy fire while serving on the deck of the

USS Pontoosuc USS ''Pontoosuc '' was a Union Navy vessel in the American Civil War. A side wheel gunboat, ''Pontoosuc'' was built under contract with G. W. Lawrence and the Portland Company, Portland, Maine, and was named for Pontoosuc, Illinois, on the Missi ...

. Anglin died in Portland, Maine, on September 6, 1905, at the age of 54. He was buried in Calvary Cemetery in South Portland, Maine.

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 Cabin Boy John Angling, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving on board the U.S.S. Pontoosuc during the capture of Fort Fisher and Wilmington, North Carolina, 24 December 1864 to 22 January 1865. Carrying out his duties faithfully during this period, Cabin Boy Angling was recommended for gallantry and skill and for his cool courage while under the fire of the enemy throughout these various actions.

General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 59 (June 22, 1865) Action Date: January 15, 1865 Service: Navy Rank: Cabin Boy Division: U.S.S. Pontoosuc

References

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Anglin, John 1850 births 1905 deaths Union Navy sailors United States Navy Medal of Honor recipients Military personnel from Portland, Maine American Civil War recipients of the Medal of Honor

Military service

Medal of Honor citation

See also

References