John Shivers (c. 1830 – unknown) was a U.S. Marine stationed aboard the USS Minnesota during the American Civil War.

Emigrating from his native Canada, Shivers joined the US Marine Corps in September 1863,[1] and was assigned to the Union frigate USS Minnesota.

On January 15, 1865, the North Carolina Confederate stronghold of Fort Fisher was taken by a combined Union storming party of sailors, marines, and soldiers under the command of Admiral David Dixon Porter and General Alfred Terry.

Landing on the beach with the assaulting party from his ship, Private Shivers advanced to the top of the sand hill and partly through the breach in the palisades despite enemy fire which killed or wounded many officers and men.

When more than two-thirds of the men became seized with panic and retreated on the run, he remained with the party until dark when it came safely away, bringing its wounded, its arms and its colors.