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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

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Topic
  • Awards and Medals
  • Medal of Honor
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  • Artifact
Wars & Conflicts
  • Civil War 1861-1865
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  • NHHC

Medal of Honor awarded to George Pyne, USS Magnolia (1857)


Medal of Honor George Pyne Reverse

Title: Medal of Honor, George Pyne, USS Magnolia (1857)
Accession #: NHHC 1957-2-AQ
Circa: 1865
Size: 2 x 2.5
Medium: Bronze
Location: Headquarters Artifact Collection, Naval History and Heritage Command

Obverse: Five pointed bronze star tipped with trefoils containing a crown of laurel and oak. In the center is Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom and warfare, standing with left hand resting on fasces and right hand holding a shield blazoned with the escutcheon of the United States. She repulses discord, represented by a male figure holding snakes. It is made of solid red brass, oxidized and buffed.

Reverse: inscribed "Personal Valor / George Pyne / Seaman / U.S.S. Magnolia / St. Marks Fla. March 5" & 6" / 1865."

Citation for Award: As seaman on board the USS Magnolia, St. Marks, Fla., 5 and 6 March 1865. Serving with the Army in charge of Navy howitzers during the attack on St. Marks and throughout this fierce engagement, Pyne, although wounded, made remarkable efforts in assisting transport of the gun, and his coolness and determination in courageously standing by his gun while under the fire of the enemy were a credit to the service to which he belonged.


Medal of Honor George Pyne Obverse

Published: Wed May 06 11:55:45 EDT 2020