The story of Samuel Todd is one of seasoned grit. Born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in 1815, Todd was already a man of nearly fifty when he found himself at the “conn” of the USS Brooklyn during one of the most ferocious naval engagements of the American Civil War.

On August 5, 1864, during the Battle of Mobile Bay, Todd was responsible for the steering and maneuvering of his ship. As the Union fleet moved to challenge the Confederate stronghold, the USS Brooklyn was raked from stem to stern by heavy enemy fire. Despite the decks being cleared by incoming shells and the ship suffering severe damage, Todd remained at his post.

His steady hand at the helm was vital as the Union engaged the formidable ironclad ram CSS Tennessee and the heavy batteries of Fort Morgan. Todd’s skill under fire contributed directly to the eventual surrender of the Tennessee and the silencing of the rebel forts. For his “outstanding skill and courage” during the furious engagement, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.