John Preston (1841 – 26 May 1885)[1] 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 Mobile Bay.
He joined the US Navy from Boston in February 1862, and served during the Civil War as a landsman on the USS Oneida.
[4] Preston's official Medal of Honor citation reads: Served on board the U.S.S.
Severely wounded, Preston remained at his gun throughout the engagement which resulted in the capture of the rebel ram Tennessee and the damaging of Fort Morgan, carrying on until obliged to go to the surgeon to whom he reported himself as "only slightly injured."
He then assisted in taking care of the wounded below and wanted to be allowed to return to his battle station on deck.