Louis G. Chaput

Louis G. Chaput (1845 – April 17, 1916) 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 Mobile Bay.

Louis G. Chaput
Born1845
Montreal, Quebec
DiedApril 17, 1916 (aged 70–71)
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Navy
RankLandsman
UnitUSS Lackawanna
Battles/warsAmerican Civil War
 • Battle of Mobile Bay
AwardsMedal of Honor

Born in 1845 in Montreal,[1] Chaput immigrated to the United States and was living in New York when he joined the U.S. Navy.[2][3][4] He served during the Civil War as a landsman on the USS Lackawanna. At the Battle of Mobile Bay on August 5, 1864, Lackawanna engaged the CSS Tennessee at close range and Chaput was severely wounded in the face and limbs by flying debris while manning an artillery gun. After receiving medical treatment, he returned to his post and continued working the gun for the remainder of the battle. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor four months later, on December 31, 1864.[2][3][5]

Chaput's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

On board the U.S.S. Lackawanna during successful attacks against Fort Morgan, rebel gunboats and the rebel ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864. Severely wounded, Chaput remained at his gun until relieved, reported to the surgeon and returned to his gun until the action was over. He was then carried below following the action which resulted in the capture of the prize ram Tennessee and in destruction of batteries at Fort Morgan.[3]

Chaput died on April 17, 1916, at age 70 or 71.[2]

References
  1. http://www.graysandbluesofmontreal.com/canadian-recipients-of-medal-of-honor.html
  2. "Louis G. Chaput". Hall of Valor. Military Times. Retrieved October 28, 2012.
  3. "Civil War Medal of Honor Recipients (A–L)". Medal of Honor Citations. United States Army Center of Military History. June 26, 2011. Retrieved October 28, 2012.
  4. Gaffen, Fred (1996). Cross-Border Warriors: Canadians in American Forces, Americans in Canadian Forces. Toronto: Dundurn Group. p. 218. ISBN 9781554881390.
  5. Report of the Secretary of the Navy. Washington: United States Government Printing Office. December 1864. p. 466.
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