Charles A. Read

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Charles A. Read
Born 1837
Charles A. Read, Medal of Honor recipient
Place of birth	Sweden
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army
Rank	Coxswain
Unit	U.S.S. Kearsarge
Battles/wars	American Civil War
Awards	Medal of Honor

Charles A. Read was a sailor in the United States Navy who was awarded the Medal of Honor for valor in action during the American Civil War.

Read was born in Sweden in 1837. On June 19, 1864 he was serving as a Coxswain on the sloop of war USS Kearsarge when she sank the commerce raider CSS Alabama off Cherbourg, France. He was awarded his Medal of Honor for gallantry under fire exhibited while crewing the ship's pivot gun.

[edit] Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Coxswain, U.S. Navy. Born: 1837, Sweden Accredited to: Ohio. G.O. No.: 45, 31 December 1864.

Citation:

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