Thomas Lyons

Outside the hull, he sounded the river as fire rained down!!

Seaman Thomas G. Lyons performed one of the most exposed jobs aboard USS Pensacola when the Union fleet fought past Forts Jackson and St. Philip on 24 April 1862. Lashed outside the ship on the port-sheet chain with the lead line in his hands, he continuously sounded the depth of the river while enemy fire passed around him.

Lyons was born in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1838. During the Civil War he served in the United States Navy aboard Pensacola. In the passage of the lower Mississippi forts below New Orleans, accurate soundings were essential as the warships moved through darkness, current, obstructions, and artillery fire.

Lyons remained at the lead throughout the dangerous passage. His citation emphasizes that he did not flinch from his exposed duty despite the enemy fire.

Medal of Honor Citation (condensed)

During the passage of Forts Jackson and St. Philip on 24 April 1862, Lyons remained exposed outside USS Pensacola, continuously sounding the river under fire without abandoning his post.

Lyons died on 29 August 1904 in Philadelphia and was buried in Mount Moriah Cemetery. His qualifying Navy service supports the Navy Civil War Campaign Medal. No service star or clasp was authorized.

The authoritative record identifies him as Thomas G. Lyons; the source-export name is left unchanged.