John P. Erickson

John P. Erickson
Civil War era Navy Medal of Honor
Born June 30, 1825
Sweden
Died August 2, 1907 (aged 81–82)
Brooklyn, New York
Place of burial Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York
Allegiance United States
Service/branch United States Navy
Rank Captain of the Forecastle
Unit USS Pontoosuc
Battles/wars American Civil War
 • Wilmington Campaign
Awards Medal of Honor

John P. Erickson (June 30, 1825 – August 2, 1907) 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 during the Wilmington Campaign.

Born in 1825 in Sweden, Erickson immigrated to the U.S. and was living in Brooklyn when he joined the Navy. He served as a captain of the forecastle on the USS Pontoosuc in the Wilmington Campaign, from the First Battle of Fort Fisher on December 24, 1864, through the campaign's end on February 22, 1865. He was severely wounded and received treatment at a hospital in Portsmouth, Virginia. For his actions during the campaign, he was awarded the Medal of Honor months later on June 22, 1865.[1][2][3]

Erickson's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

Served on board the U.S.S. Pontoosuc during the capture of Fort Fisher and Wilmington, 24 December 1864, to 22 February 1865. Carrying out his duties faithfully throughout this period, Erickson was so severely wounded in the assault upon Fort Fisher that he was sent to the hospital at Portsmouth, Va. Erickson was recommended for his gallantry, skill, and coolness in action while under the fire of the enemy.[2]

Erickson died on August 2, 1907, at age 82 and was buried at Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.[1][3]

References

  1. 1 2 "John P. Erickson". Hall of Valor. Military Times. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
  2. 1 2 "Civil War Medal of Honor Recipients (A–L)". Medal of Honor Citations. United States Army Center of Military History. June 26, 2011. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
  3. 1 2 "John P. Erickson". Find a Grave. December 3, 2003. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
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