Rank and Organization: Pilot, U.S. Navy. Entered Service At: Illinois. Born: 15 April 1823, Tennessee. G.O. No.: 59, 22 June 1865.

CITATION:

Served on board the U.S. Monitor Neosho during the engagement with enemy batteries at Bells Mills, Cumberland River, near Nashville, Tenn., 6 December 1864. Carrying out his duties courageously during the engagement, Ferrell gallantly left the pilothouse after the flag and signal staffs of that vessel had been shot away and, taking the flag which was drooping over the wheelhouse, make it fast to the stump of the highest mast remaining although the ship was still under a heavy fire from the enemy.

Civil War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. He served as a Pilot (Captain) in the Union Navy. His citation reads "Served on board the USS Monitor Neosho during the engagement with enemy batteries at Bells Mills, Cumberland River, near Nashville, Tenn., 6 December 1864. Carrying out his duties courageously during the engagement, Ferrell gallantly left the pilothouse after the flag and signal staffs of that vessel had been shot away and, taking the flag which was drooping over the wheelhouse, made it fast to the stump of the highest mast remaining, although the ship was still under a heavy fire from the enemy." (bio by: Don Morfe)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Civilian pilot John Ferrell was one of two men of the U.S. Navy to earn the Medal of Honor in action aboard the U.S. Monitor Neosho during the engagement with enemy batteries at Bells Mills, Cumberland River, near Nashville, Tennessee, on December 6, 1864. Carrying out his duties courageously during the engagement, Mr. Ferrell gallantly left the pilot house after the flag and signal staffs of that vessel had been shot away and, taking the flag which was drooping over the wheelhouse, made it fast to the stump of the highest mast remaining, although the ship was still under a heavy fire from the enemy. Quartermaster John Ditzenback also earned the Medal of Honor in this action.

BURIED: Price Cemetery
Elizabethtown
Hardin County
Illinois

SOURCE: http://www.homeofheroes.com/moh/citations1862cwa/ferrell.html

CIVILIAN MEDAL OF HONOR Recipients