David L. Gifford

David Lewis Gifford (September 18, 1844 – January 13, 1904) was a Union Army soldier in the American Civil War who received the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor. He was awarded the Medal of Honor, for extraordinary heroism shown on May 24, 1864, while serving as a Private with Company B, 4th Massachusetts Cavalry Regiment, at Ashepoo River, South Carolina. His Medal of Honor was issued on January 21, 1897.
Gifford was born in Dartmouth, Massachusetts on September 18, 1844, and joined the Army in December 1863.He was transferred to the Navy in June 1864, and was discharged with the rank of Ordinary seaman in August 1865.
Gifford died at the age of 59, on January 13, 1904 and was buried at the South Dartmouth Cemetery in Dartmouth, Massachusetts.

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private David L. Gifford, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 24 May 1864, while serving with Company B, 4th Massachusetts Cavalry, in action at Ashepoo River, South Carolina. Private Gifford volunteered as a member of a boat crew which went to the rescue of a large number of Union soldiers on board the stranded steamer Boston and with great gallantry assisted in conveying them to shore, being exposed during the entire time to a heavy fire from a Confederate battery.