Quartermaster John H. Nibbe of the USS Petrel, a native-born German, was awarded the United States Congressional Medal of Honor for his bravery when the Petrel was captured by CSA cavalry on April 22, 1864.

John Nibbe remainded on board with the dead and wounded after the Petrel was disabled by Confederate Parrott shells. He also assisted in removing the wounded to shore and was helping prepare to fire the Petrel when CSA soldiers swam across the river and put out the fires.

The URL given below describes events in more detail.

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Kenneth Byrd