John F. Bickford

John F. Bickford
John F. Bickford
	Civil War era Navy Medal of Honor
Born	March 12, 1843; Tremont, Maine, US
Died	April 28, 1927 (aged 84)
Place of burial	Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Gloucester, Massachusetts
Allegiance	United States of America; Union
Service / branch	United States Navy; Union Navy
Years of service	1862 - 1865
Rank	Master's Mate
Battles / wars	Battle of Cherbourg (1864)
Awards	Medal of Honor

John F. Bickford (March 12, 1843 – April 28, 1927) received the Medal of Honor in the American Civil War.

Biography

Bickford was born in Tremont, Maine, and joined the Navy from Boston, Massachusetts in January 1862. He rose to the rank of captain of the top (roughly equivalent to the modern day rank of petty officer) and was assigned to the USS Kearsarge. He participated in the Kearsarge's historic engagement with the CSS Alabama on June 19, 1864. Bickford later received the Medal of Honor for heroism during this battle.

After the battle, he was promoted to Acting Master's Mate in July 1864. He was discharged from the Navy in June 1865. ^[1]

He was a companion of the Naval Order of the United States.

Bickford died on April 28, 1927. He is buried at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Gloucester, Massachusetts.^[2]

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Captain of the Top, U.S. Navy. Born: 1843, Tremont, Maine. Accredited to: Maine. G.O. No.: 45, December 31, 1864.

Citation:

Served on board the U.S.S. Kearsarge when she destroyed the Alabama off Cherbourg, France, June 19, 1864. Acting as the first loader of the pivot gun during this bitter engagement Bickford exhibited marked coolness and good conduct and was highly recommended for his gallantry under fire by his divisional officer.