Miles M. Oviatt
Miles M. Oviatt | |
---|---|
![]() Oviatt in 1865 | |
Born | Cattaraugus County, New York | December 1, 1840
Died | November 1, 1880 New York | (aged 39)
Place of burial | Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Olean, New York |
Allegiance | United States of America Union |
Service/ | United States Marine Corps |
Years of service | 1862 - 1866 |
Rank | Sergeant |
Unit | ![]() |
Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Awards | Medal of Honor |
Miles Mason Oviatt (December 1, 1840 – November 1, 1880) was a Corporal serving in the Marine Corps aboard the USS Brooklyn (1858) who received the Medal of Honor for his actions in the American Civil War.
Biography[]
Oviatt was born December 1, 1840 in Cattaraugus County, New York and on August 19, 1862 he joined the Marine Corps from Brooklyn, New York. He was assigned to the marine contingent aboard the USS Brooklyn (1858) during the American Civil War. The USS Brooklyn was sent into action against rebel forts and gunboats including the Confederate ram Tennessee in the Battle of Mobile Bay August 5, 1864.. During the battle several men aboard ship were killed and the ship sustained heavy damage from enemy fire. Oviatt continued to fire his gun throughout the two-hour battle which resulted in the surrender of the Tennessee. For his actions during the battle Oviatt received the Medal of Honor December 31, 1864.[1]
Oviatt was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant on August 18, 1866, and died on November 1, 1880. He was buried in Pleasant Valley Cemetery Olean, New York. His grave can be found in section 36, lot 36.[2]
Medal of Honor citation[]
Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: 1841, Cattaraugus County, N.Y. Accredited to: New York. G.O. No.: 45, 31 December 1864.
Citation:
On board the U.S.S. Brooklyn during action against rebel forts and gunboats and with the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864. Despite severe damage to his ship and the loss of several men on board as enemy fire raked the deck, Cpl. Oviatt fought his gun with skill and courage throughout the furious 2-hour battle which resulted in the surrender of the rebel ram Tennessee.[1]
See also[]
References[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Oviatt, Miles M. entry". Medal of Honor recipients, Civil War M-Z. United States Army Center of Military History. July 28, 2010. Archived from the original on February 23, 2009. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
- ^ Don Morfe (January 11, 2004). "Miles M. Oviatt". Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor recipients. Find a Grave. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
External links[]
- "Miles M. Oviatt". Hall of Valor. Military Times. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
- Schuon, Karl (1963). U. S. Marine Corps biographical dictionary. New York: Franklin Watts. pp. 165–6.
- 1841 births
- 1880 deaths
- People of New York (state) in the American Civil War
- United States Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipients
- United States Marines
- Burials in New York (state)
- People from Cattaraugus County, New York
- American Civil War recipients of the Medal of Honor
- United States Marine Corps personnel stubs
- American Civil War biography stubs