Hugh Molloy

Hugh Molloy (September 25, 1841 – March 8, 1922) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the American Civil War.

During the Civil War, Molloy served as an Ordinary Seaman on USS Fort Hindman (1862). He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during an engagement with a Confederate artillery battery near Harrisonburg, Louisiana, on March 2, 1864.

Hugh Molloy died at age 80 and was buried in Calvary Cemetery, Evanston, Illinois.

Rank and Organization:

Ordinary Seaman, U.S. Navy. Born: 1832, Illinois. Accredited to: Illinois. G.O. No.: 32, April 16, 1864.

Citation:

Served on board the U.S.S. Fort Hindman during the engagement near Harrisonburg, La., 2 March 1864. Following a shellburst which mortally wounded the first sponger, who dropped the sponge out of the forecastle port, Molloy jumped out of the port to the forecastle, recovered the sponge and sponged and loaded the gun for the remainder of the action from his exposed position, despite the extreme danger to his person from the raking fire of enemy musketry.