Medal of Honor Heroics: Edwin Smith’s Daring Swim Through Enemy Fire

Fearless Under Fire: The Remarkable Tale of Edwin Smith and His Medal of Honor

Edwin Smith Medal of Honor

Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes
Author: NateW

Key Takeaways

  • Edwin Smith earned the Medal of Honor for swimming through heavy Confederate fire to save his grounded ship during the 1862 Joint Expedition Against Franklin
  • Despite facing intense danger, Smith’s actions allowed USS Whitehead to maintain effective fire support during a critical naval engagement
  • Smith rose from ordinary seaman to Master’s Mate after his heroic deed but was later discharged due to illness
  • The Joint Expedition Against Franklin highlighted both the risks and importance of Union naval operations in securing southern waterways

Table of Contents

Early Life and Background

Born around 1841 in New York City, Edwin Smith came of age as his nation stood on the brink of civil war. Like many young men from America’s largest city, he would answer the call to serve when conflict erupted between North and South in 1861.

Little is known about Smith’s early years or family life in New York, but his later actions would demonstrate the character of a man willing to risk everything in service to his country.

Military Service

Smith enlisted in the United States Navy from his home state of New York. By October 1862, he was serving as an ordinary seaman aboard USS Whitehead, a screw steamer that had been purchased by the Navy in October 1861 and converted into a gunboat.

USS Whitehead was assigned to the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, taking part in various operations along the coast and inland waterways of Virginia and North Carolina. The vessel played an important role in the Union’s strategy of controlling southern ports and rivers.

The Medal of Honor Action

On October 3, 1862, Smith participated in the Joint Expedition Against Franklin, Virginia – an operation intended to challenge Confederate forces gathering near the town. USS Whitehead, along with USS Commodore Perry and USS Hunchback, attempted to navigate up the narrow Blackwater River to engage enemy positions.

The mission quickly became perilous when USS Whitehead ran aground in a narrow bend of the river while under heavy Confederate fire. With the ship immobilized and vulnerable, quick action was needed to save both vessel and crew.

Recognizing the extreme danger but understanding the necessity of action, Smith volunteered to swim through enemy fire with a line that could help free the stranded vessel. As Confederate bullets splashed around him, Smith successfully completed his mission, enabling USS Whitehead to maintain its position and continue providing crucial fire support during the battle.

“On board the U.S.S. Whitehead in the attack upon Franklin, Va., 3 October 1862. When his ship became grounded in a narrow passage as she rounded a bend in the Blackwater River, Smith, realizing the hazards of lowering a boat voluntarily swam to shore with a line under the enemy’s heavy fire. His fearless action enabled his ship to maintain steady fire and keep the enemy in check during the battle.”

Legacy and Aftermath

Smith’s extraordinary bravery earned him both the Medal of Honor and a promotion to Master’s Mate in the same month as his heroic deed. However, his naval career was cut short when he was discharged in April 1867 due to illness, with his appointment as Master’s Mate having been revoked in March 1865 for medical reasons.

FAQ

Q: What was Edwin Smith’s rank when he performed his Medal of Honor action?

He was serving as an ordinary seaman when he performed his heroic deed on October 3, 1862.

Q: What happened to USS Whitehead after the war?

USS Whitehead was decommissioned in June 1865 and sold at public auction in August of that year. She was renamed Nevada for merchant service but was ultimately destroyed by fire in New London, Connecticut in September 1872.

Q: Why was the Joint Expedition Against Franklin significant?

The expedition was part of the Union’s broader strategy to control southern waterways and prevent Confederate forces from using them for transportation and supply. While the immediate military objectives weren’t fully achieved, it demonstrated the challenges and importance of riverine operations during the Civil War.

Sources

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