Peter Howard (Medal of Honor)

Peter Howard (1829 in France – March 25, 1875 in New York) was a United States Navy Boatswain's Mate, who earned the Medal of Honor for his actions while serving on board the USS Mississippi (1841) during the American Civil War.

Medal of Honor citation

 * Rank and organization: Boatswain's Mate, U.S. Navy.
 * Born: 1829 France.
 * Accredited to: Massachusetts.
 * General Orders No.: 17, 10 July 1863.

Citation:

"Served on board the USS Mississippi during the action against Port Hudson, 14 March 1863. Running aground during the darkness and in the midst of battle while exposed to a devastating fire from enemy shore batteries, the Mississippi was ordered abandoned after a long and desperate attempt to free her. Serving courageously throughout this period in which a steady fire was kept up against the enemy until the ship was enveloped in flames and abandoned. Howard acted gallantly in his duties as boatswain's mate. Soon after the firing of the Mississippi and its abandonment, it was seen to slide off the shoal, drift downstream and explode, leaving no possibility of its falling into enemy hands."