Charles H. Baldwin (Medal of Honor)

Charles H. Baldwin (June 30, 1839 – January 22, 1911) was an enlisted man in the United States Navy during the American Civil War. He served aboard the USS Wyalusing and received the Medal of Honor for his participation in a plan to destroy the rebel ram CSS Albemarle in Roanoke River, May 25, 1864. Fellow crewmen Alexander Crawford, John Lafferty, Benjamin Lloyd, and John W. Lloyd were also awarded the Medal of Honor for participating in the same plan. He is buried at Christ Episcopal Church in Accokeek, MD.

Charles H. Baldwin
Born(1839-06-30)June 30, 1839
Smyrna, Delaware
DiedJanuary 22, 1911(1911-01-22) (aged 71)
Allegiance United States of America
Union
Service/branch United States Navy
Years of service1864 -1865
RankCoal Heaver
UnitUSS Wyalusing
Battles/warsAmerican Civil War
Awards Medal of Honor

Biography

Charles H. Baldwin was born in Delaware. He is buried in Christ Church Cemetery, Accokeek, Maryland.[1]

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Coal Heaver, U.S. Navy. Born: June 30, 1839, Delaware. Accredited to: Pennsylvania. G.O. No.: 45, December 31, 1864.[2]

Citation:

Serving on board the U.S.S. Wyalusing and participating in a plan to destroy the rebel ram Albermarle in Roanoke River, 25 May 1864. Volunteering for the hazardous mission, C.H. Baldwin participated in the transfer of 2 torpedoes across an island swamp. Weighted by a line which was used to transfer the torpedoes, he swam the river and, when challenged by a sentry, was forced to abandon the plan after erasing its detection and before it could be carried to completion. Escaping the fire of the muskets, C.H. Baldwin spent 2 days and nights of hazardous travel without food, and finally arrived, fatigued, at the mother ship.[3]

Namesake
  • The destroyer USS Baldwin is named in his honor.

See also

References
  1. Medal of Honor Historical Society of the United States
  2. "Medal of Honor recipients — Civil War". United States Army Center of Military History (CMH). Retrieved 2007-11-08.
  3. "Charles Baldwin", National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation

Sources
  • "Baldwin". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval History & Heritage Command, Department of the Navy.
This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.


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