US Navy. Born in 1837 in Sweden. Civil War: Enlisted from Ohio. Coxswain. Awarded the Medal of Honor. Served as coxswain on board the U.S.S. Kearsage when she destroyed the “Alabama” off Cherbourg, France on 19 Jun 1864. Acting as the first sponger of the pivot gun during this bitter engagement, Read exhibited marked coolness and good conduct and was highly recommended for his gallantry under fire by his divisional officer. Sources: (“America’s Medal of Honor Recipients”. Publ. 1977, pp 197, 1019)
