George E. Read

{{other people||George Read (disambiguation){{!}}George Read}}

{{Infobox military person

|name= George E. Read

|birth_date= July 27, 1837

|death_date= December 7, 1910

|image= US Navy Medal of Honor (1862 original).png

|image_size= 150

|caption= Civil War era Navy Medal of Honor

|nickname=

|birth_place= Rhode Island, US

|death_place= Bristol, Rhode Island, US

|placeofburial= Ancient Littleneck Cemetery, East Providence, Rhode Island

|placeofburial_label= Place of burial

|allegiance= United States of America
Union

|branch=United States Navy
Union Navy

|serviceyears=

|rank= Seaman

|unit={{flagicon|United States Navy}} {{USS|Kearsarge|1861|6}}

|commands=

|battles= American Civil War

|awards=Medal of Honor

|relations=

|laterwork=

}}

George E. Read (1838–1910) was an American sailor who received the Medal of Honor for valor in action during the American Civil War.

Biography

Read was born in Rhode Island in 1838. On June 19, 1864, he served as a Seaman on the sloop of war {{USS|Kearsarge|1861}} when she sank the commerce raider {{Ship|CSS|Alabama}} off Cherbourg, France. He was awarded his Medal of Honor for gallantry under fire exhibited while crewing the ship's Number 2 gun.

Read died in 1910 and was buried in Ancient Littleneck Cemetery in East Providence, Rhode Island.

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Seaman, U.S. Navy. Born: 1838, Rhode Island. Accredited to: Rhode Island. G.O. No.: 45, December 31, 1864

Citation:

Served as seaman on board the U.S.S. Kearsarge when she destroyed the Alabama off Cherbourg, France, 19 June 1864. Acting as the first loader of the No. 2 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.