Maurice Wagg

Performed a hazardous ocean rescue for a sinking ironclad.

Maurice Wagg was a British-born sailor who helped rescue the crew of USS Monitor and later lived long enough to wear his Medal of Honor among Civil War veterans in London. Born in England on July 23, 1840, he entered U.S. Navy service in 1861 and served aboard USS Rhode Island.

On December 31, 1862, Rhode Island was engaged in the desperate effort to save officers and sailors from the sinking Monitor off Cape Hatteras. Wagg, then a coxswain, took part in the hazardous rescue and was recognized for meritorious conduct. He later attained the rate of master's mate and remained in Navy service until 1868.

Medal of Honor Citation (condensed): Distinguished himself by meritorious conduct while USS Rhode Island carried out the hazardous rescue of USS Monitor's officers and crew off Cape Hatteras.

Wagg returned to England and became active with the London Branch of American Civil War Veterans. He died in London on June 22, 1926, and was buried in East London Cemetery, where an official headstone was later placed on his grave.