Barnett Kenna

He Kept Fighting as Enemy Fire Tore Through His Ship

Barnett Kenna was born in 1827 in Canterbury, England. He later immigrated to the United States and became a sailor in the United States Navy during the American Civil War. His courage aboard USS Brooklyn during the Battle of Mobile Bay on August 5, 1864, earned him the Navy Medal of Honor, one of the nation's highest military distinctions.

Kenna entered the United States Navy in November 1861, during the opening months of the Civil War. As the conflict expanded, the Union Navy played an increasingly important role in blockading Confederate ports, protecting maritime transportation, and supporting military operations along the American coastline.

He served as a quartermaster aboard USS Brooklyn, a steam-powered sloop-of-war assigned to Union naval operations. Quartermasters performed important duties associated with navigation and the handling of a ship, while sailors could also be required to assist with weapons and other combat responsibilities.

By 1864, USS Brooklyn was operating with the West Gulf Blockading Squadron under Rear Admiral David Glasgow Farragut. The squadron was preparing for a major attack against Confederate defenses protecting Mobile Bay, Alabama.

Mobile Bay was one of the Confederacy's remaining important Gulf Coast ports. Its entrance was guarded by formidable coastal fortifications, including Fort Morgan, while Confederate warships and underwater mines presented additional dangers to any attacking fleet.

On August 5, 1864, Farragut launched his attack. Union vessels advanced toward the heavily defended entrance, where Confederate artillery opened fire against the approaching ships.

USS Brooklyn occupied a prominent position in the attacking formation. As the fleet approached Fort Morgan, Confederate guns unleashed intense fire, striking the advancing vessels and threatening their crews.

During the attack, the Union ironclad USS Tecumseh struck a Confederate mine and sank. The disaster complicated the advance, but Farragut directed his remaining ships forward into Mobile Bay.

USS Brooklyn came under particularly heavy enemy fire. Confederate projectiles struck the vessel, damaging its structure and causing casualties among its sailors. Enemy guns swept the ship's decks, placing the crew in constant danger.

It was during this fierce engagement that Barnett Kenna demonstrated the courage for which he would receive the Medal of Honor.

Despite the severe damage sustained by USS Brooklyn and the loss of several men aboard, Kenna continued fighting his gun with exceptional skill and determination.

His actions occurred while Union warships engaged Confederate coastal batteries, gunboats, and the powerful ironclad ram CSS Tennessee.

Rather than abandoning his combat responsibilities in the face of intense enemy fire, Kenna remained at his position and continued contributing to his ship's effectiveness throughout the engagement.

The battle continued as Union vessels confronted CSS Tennessee. The Confederate ironclad attempted to challenge Farragut's fleet but eventually surrendered after sustained attacks by Union warships.

The Union victory secured control of Mobile Bay and represented an important achievement in the campaign to weaken Confederate naval power along the Gulf Coast.

USS Brooklyn suffered significant damage and casualties during the operation. Kenna survived the engagement, having performed his duties under conditions of extraordinary danger.

His conduct attracted official recognition for the courage and skill he displayed while enemy fire swept his vessel.

On December 31, 1864, Barnett Kenna's heroism was recognized in General Order No. 45, recording his award of the Medal of Honor for distinguished conduct during the Battle of Mobile Bay.

Kenna received the Navy Medal of Honor, the United States Navy's highest decoration for military valor. His award belonged to the original Navy Medal of Honor design period of 1862–1912, the historic version associated with naval recipients of the Civil War era.

The original Navy Medal of Honor featured a five-pointed star suspended from an anchor, with symbolic imagery representing the Union and the struggle against rebellion. This distinctive design reflected the decoration's origins during the American Civil War.

Kenna's Medal of Honor recognized his extraordinary courage aboard USS Brooklyn on August 5, 1864. His determination to continue operating his gun despite heavy Confederate fire, severe damage to his ship, and casualties among the crew demonstrated exceptional bravery under combat conditions.

The award was granted during his lifetime and established his place among the Union Navy sailors honored for their actions during the Civil War.

Kenna continued his naval service after the Battle of Mobile Bay and remained in the Navy until January 1866, following the conclusion of the Civil War.

After leaving military service, he returned to civilian life and eventually settled in Massachusetts.

Barnett Kenna died on May 28, 1890, in Gloucester, Massachusetts, at approximately sixty-three years of age. He was buried at Cherry Hill Cemetery in Gloucester.

His Medal of Honor remains a lasting recognition of his courage during one of the American Civil War's most significant naval engagements.

At Mobile Bay, Kenna demonstrated that battlefield heroism could be expressed through steadfast dedication to duty. While Confederate fire damaged USS Brooklyn and inflicted casualties among her crew, he continued fighting his gun and supporting his ship throughout the battle.

His service contributed to the Union Navy's victory at Mobile Bay and secured his place among the recognized heroes of American naval history.

Barnett Kenna is remembered as an English-born American sailor whose skill, courage, and unwavering determination under enemy fire earned him the Navy Medal of Honor and a permanent place in the history of the United States Navy.