Seward was born on October 10, 1840, in Kittery Point, Maine, to a family of mariners. His grandfather had served with John Paul Jones on the USS Ranger, and his father and brother were sailors who died together at sea.[1][2]
Seward joined the U.S. Navy in 1859 and served during the Civil War as a paymaster's steward on the USS Commodore. At Ship Island Sound, Louisiana, on November 23, 1863, Seward recovered the bodies of two soldiers despite heavy fire. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor five months later on April 16, 1864.[1][3][2]
Seward died on May 30, 1899, at age 58 and was buried at First Christian Church Cemetery in Kittery Point, Maine, under the name "Richard H. Seaward".[1][4]
Medal of Honor citation
Seward's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
Rank and organization: Paymaster's Steward, U.S. Navy
Place and date: Ship Island Sound, La., 23 November 1863
Date of issue: 16 April 1864
Served as paymaster's steward on board the U.S.S. Commodore, November 1863. Carrying out his duties courageously, Seward "volunteered to go on the field amidst a heavy fire to recover the bodies of 2 soldiers which he brought off with the aid of others; a second instance of personal valor within a fortnight." Promoted to acting master's mate.[3]
Notes
^ abSeward's name was incorrectly listed as "Richard E. Seward" on his citation.
