Illinois Medal of Honor Recipient Charles Asten-- Part 2

Charles Asten was all the more remarkable because in the action on May 5, he was on the sick list..  He was awarded the Medal of Honor on December 31, 1864.  George Butts and six other members of the USS Signal's crew also received Medals of Honor at the action.

So, there were a total of eight Medals of Honor awarded that day.  The Wikipedia article on the USS Signal states that six Medals of Honor were given that day.

His citation reads:  "Served on the USS Signal, Red River, 5 May 1864,.  Proceeding up the Red River, the USS Signal engaged a large force of enemy  field batteries and sharpshooters, returning their fire until the federal ship was totally disabled, at which time the white flag was raised.  Although on the sick list, Q.G. Asten courageously carried out his duties during the entire engagement."

He died on September 14, 1885, in Nova Scotia and was interred at Saint Francis Cemetery in Providence County, Rhode Island.

--Old B-Runner