Thomas Atkinson Memorial
| Memorial Location | (click here for map) |
The memorial honors Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Thomas E. Atkinson, a Salem native who served in the Uruguayan and American Civil War. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery in the naval assaults of Mobile Bay, Alabama on August 5th, 1864.
His citation reads: "The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Yeoman Thomas E. Atkinson, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action board the U.S.S. Richmond, Mobile Bay, Alabama, 5 August 1864; commended for coolness and energy in supplying the rifle ammunition, which was under his sole charge, in the action in Mobile Bay on the morning of 5 August 1864. Yeoman Atkinson was a petty officer on board the U.S. Frigate Congress in 1842 - 46; was present and assisted in capturing the whole of the Buenos Ayrean fleet by that vessel off Montevideo; joined the Richmond in September 1860; was in the action with Fort McRea, the Head of the Passes of the Mississippi, Forts Jackson and St. Philip, the Chalmettes, the rebel ironclads and gunboats below New Orleans, Vicksburg, Port Hudson, and at the surrender of New Orleans.”
Yeoman Atkinson passed away on March 9th, 1868 and his remains are buried on the island of San Lorenzo off the coast of Peru. The memorial at Greenlawn Cemetery is dedicated in his honor.