Charles H. Baldwin was an enlisted man in the United States Navy

United States Navy

The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...

 during the American Civil War

American Civil War

The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...

. He served aboard the and received the Medal of Honor

Medal of Honor

The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...

 for his participation in a plan to destroy the rebel ram in Roanoke River

Roanoke River

The Roanoke River is a river in southern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina in the United States, 410 mi long. A major river of the southeastern United States, it drains a largely rural area of the coastal plain from the eastern edge of the Appalachian Mountains southeast across the Piedmont...

, May 25, 1864. Fellow crewmen Alexander Crawford

Alexander Crawford

Alexander Crawford was a sailor in the United States Navy who served in the American Civil War. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the war.-Biography:...

, John Lafferty

John Lafferty

John Lafferty or Laverty was a sailor in the U.S. Navy during the American Civil War and is one of only 19 people in history to receive the Medal of Honor twice.-Biography:...

, Benjamin Lloyd

Benjamin Lloyd

Benjamin Lloyd was a Coal Heaver in the Union Navy and a Medal of Honor recipient for his actions in the American Civil War.-Medal of Honor citation:...

, and John W. Lloyd

John W. Lloyd

John W. Lloyd was a Coxswain in the Union Navy and a Medal of Honor recipient for his actions in the American Civil War.-Medal of Honor citation:...

 were also awarded the Medal of Honor for participating in the same plan.

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Coal Heaver, U.S. Navy. Born: June 30, 1839, Delaware. Accredited to: Pennsylvania. G.O. No.: 45, December 31, 1864.

Citation:

Serving on board the U.S.S. Wyalusing and participating in a plan to destroy the rebel ram Albermarle in Roanoke River, 25 May 1864. Volunteering for the hazardous mission, C.H. Baldwin participated in the transfer of 2 torpedoes across an island swamp. Weighted by a line which was used to transfer the torpedoes, he swam the river and, when challenged by a sentry, was forced to abandon the plan after erasing its detection and before it could be carried to completion. Escaping the fire of the muskets, C.H. Baldwin spent 2 days and nights of hazardous travel without food, and finally arrived, fatigued, at the mother ship.

See also

• List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: A–F