John Laver Mather Cooper

John Laver Mather Cooper was a distinguished member of the United States Navy who served during the American Civil War. He achieved the rank of Quartermaster and is recognized as one of only nineteen individuals in history to be awarded the Medal of Honor twice. Furthermore, he is one of only fourteen recipients to receive the nation's highest military decoration for two entirely separate and distinct acts of bravery.

His first Medal of Honor was awarded for his heroic actions on August 5, 1864, while serving on board the U.S.S. Brooklyn during the Battle of Mobile Bay. Under devastating enemy fire that raked his ship and caused heavy casualties, Cooper manned and fought his gun with exceptional skill and courage. His steadfastness contributed to the surrender of the rebel ram Tennessee and the neutralization of Fort Morgan's batteries.

Cooper's second Medal of Honor was earned on April 26, 1865, while serving as a quartermaster on Acting Rear Admiral Thatcher's staff during a devastating fire in Mobile, Alabama. At extreme personal risk from exploding shells and raging flames, Cooper ran into the burning area to rescue a wounded man, carrying him on his back to safety.