Bartlett Laffey
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| Bartlett Laffey | |
|---|---|
| 1841 – March 22, 1901 | |
 Bartlett Laffey, Medal of Honor recipient |
|
| Place of birth | Ireland |
| Place of death | Chelsea, Massachusetts |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Navy |
| Unit | USS Marmora |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
Bartlett Laffey (1841–March 22, 1901) was an Irish-born US Navy seaman and US Medal of Honor recipient.
Contents |
[edit] Biography
Born in Ireland, he enlisted in the United States Navy 17 March 1862 and was assigned to stern wheel gunboat Marmora.
On 5 March 1864, the Confederates launched a heavy attack on Union positions at Yazoo City, Mississippi. In the midst of heated battle Laffey landed a 12-pound howitzer and her crew. Despite enemy rifle fire which cut up the gun carriage and severed the rammer, Laffey bravely stood by his gun and contributed greatly to turning back the flerce Confederate assault. Seaman Laffey was awarded the Medal of Honor for his courageous stand. He died at Chelsea, Massachusetts, 22 March 1901.
[edit] Namesakes
Two ships in the United States Navy have been given their name in honor of Bartlett Laffey.
His granddaughter, Miss Eleanor Forgerty, christened the first USS Laffey in 1941. The first was USS Laffey (DD-459), a Benson-class destroyer. This ship was lost during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal in 1942. The second ship was USS Laffey (DD-724), an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer. This second ship was built in 1943 and served at least into 1968. She was laid down less than a year after the loss of the first Laffey and named for that ship, as much as for Seaman Laffey.
[edit] Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Seaman, U.S. Navy. Born: 1841, Ireland. Accredited to: Massachusetts. G.O. No.: 32, 16 April 1864.
Citation.
- Off Yazoo City, Miss., 5 March 1864, embarking from the Marmora with a 12-pound howitzer mounted on a field carriage, Laffey landed with the gun and crew in the midst of heated battle and, bravely standing by his gun despite enemy rifle fire which cut the gun carriage and rammer, contributed to the turning back of the enemy during the fierce engagement.[1]
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
[edit] References
- This article includes text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
- Template:FindAGrave Retrieved on 2007-12-06
- Bartlett Laffey, Medal of Honor recipient. American Civil War (A-L) (July 16, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-12-06.
- Medal Of Honor Citation for Bartlett Laffey. C. Douglas Sterner. Retrieved on 2007-12-06.
- history.navy.mil: USS Laffey
