David Lewis Gifford
American soldier, recipient of the Medal of Honor (1844–1904)
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 Volunteer Cavalry, at Ashepoo River, South Carolina. His Medal of Honor was issued on January 21, 1897. He received his Medal of Honor following the steamer the USS Boston running aground on an Oyster bed, leaving 400 individuals within range of Confederate artillery. Gifford and four other men - led by George W. Brush - manned a small boat and ferried stranded soldiers to a safe area.
Life
Early life
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.
David Lewis Gifford was born to Mercy Kendrick and David Gifford in a farmhouse at the head of the Apponagansett River. He lost two of his siblings within a few weeks, however his sister Amy survived to adulthood. When Gifford was 16 he took out his protection papers, indicating he was about to go to sea.
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