Samuel W. Kinnaird

Samuel W. Kinnaird (May 2, 1840 – April 20, 1923) was a Union Navy sailor in the American Civil War. He was a recipient of the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor. He got it for his actions at the Battle of Mobile Bay.

Kinnaird's Background
He was born on May 2, 1840, in New York City. Kinnaird was still living in the state of New York when he joined the Navy. He served during the Civil War as a landsman on the . At the Battle of Mobile Bay on August 5, 1864, Lackawanna engaged the . They fought at close range and Kinnaird displayed "presence of mind and cheerfulness" which helped maintain his shipmates' morale. For this action, he was presented the Medal of Honor four months later on December 31, 1864.

Citation
Kinnaird's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
Served as a landsman on board the U.S.S. Lackawanna during successful attacks against Fort Morgan, rebel gunboats and the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864. Showing a presence of mind and cheerfulness that had much to do with maintaining the crew's morale, Kinnaird served gallantly through the action which resulted in the capture of the prize rebel ram Tennessee and in the destruction of batteries at Fort Morgan.

Kinnaird died on April 20, 1923. He was 82 and was buried in the New York City neighborhood of Woodside, Queens.

 References 
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Other websites


Category:1840 births
Category:1923 deaths
Category:Military personnel of the American Civil War
Category:United States Navy Medal of Honor recipients
Category:Military people from New York (state)