Charles Read (born 1840, date of death unknown) was a Union Navy sailor in the American Civil War and a recipient of the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions at the Battle of Natural Bridge.

Born in 1840 in Cambridge, New York, Read joined the Navy from that state.

On that day and the next, he accompanied a Union Army force during the Battle of Natural Bridge near St. Marks, Florida.

[2][3] Read's official Medal of Honor citation is as follows: As seaman on board the U.S.S.

Serving with the Army in charge of Navy howitzers during the attack on St. Marks and throughout this fierce engagement, Read made remarkable efforts in assisting transport of the gun, and his coolness and determination in courageously standing by his gun while under the fire of the enemy were a credit to the service to which he belonged.