Portsmouth, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Portsmouth Medal of Honor Memorial
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, October 18, 2025
1. Portsmouth Medal of Honor Memorial text
In memory of the brave citizens of Portsmouth who received our nation's highest honor for gallantry above and beyond the call of duty.
Army - Air Force
*Richard T. Shea, Jr., 1st LT 7th Infantry Division Jul 6-8, 1953 Korean Conflict
Charles Veal, Sgt 4th U.S. Colored Troops Sep 29, 1864 Civil War
*Raymond H. Wilkins, Maj 5th Army Air Force Nov 2, 1943 World War II
Navy - Marine Corps
David D. Barrow, Cox U.S.S. Nashville May 11, 1898 Spanish-American War
William M. Carr, MAA U.S.S. Richmond Aug 5, 1864 Civil War
Jessie W. Covington, CSTD U.S.S. Stewart Apr 17, 1918 World War I
Thomas H. Jordan, QM U.S.S. Galena Aug 5, 1864 Civil War
Joseph Mitchell, LT U.S.S. Newark Jul 12, 1900 Boxer Rebellion
Wendell C. Neville, Maj Gen 2nd Regt Marines Apr 21-22, 1914 Mexican Campaign
James F. O'Connor, LDS U.S.S. Jean Sands Jun 15, 1880 Peace Time
August Ohmsen, LT U.S.S. Tallapoosa Aug 21, 1884 Peace Time
Samuel Woods, BM U.S.S. Mount Washington Apr 14, 1863 Civil War
*Killed in Action
Dedicated on Memorial Day 1991 by Portsmouth Veterans
Erected 1991.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Civil
this page online
Location. 36° 50.129′ N, 76° 17.765′ W. Memorial is in Portsmouth, Virginia. It can be reached from the intersection of High Street and Water Street. Marker is on the flag pavilion at Admiral's Landing. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 2 High Street, Portsmouth VA 23704, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this memorial is in Virginia’s Hampton Roads, specifically in Coastal Virginia, and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Tidewater. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Gosport Shipyard (within shouting distance of this marker); 4 Pounder Cannon (within shouting distance of this marker); Seaboard Air Line Railroad (within shouting distance of this marker); Cornwallis' Embarkation (within shouting distance of this marker); Naval Shipyard Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); First Order Fresnel Lens from the Hog Island Light (within shouting distance of this marker); Revolutionary War at Portsmouth (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); John Luke Porter (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portsmouth.
More about this memorial. This marker was dedicated two years after a similar marker was installed at Lafayette Park two blocks north, but contains more names than the older marker for a more
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, April 10, 2026
2. Portsmouth Medal of Honor Memorial
Regarding Portsmouth Medal of Honor Memorial. A number of the men listed are buried in Portsmouth or, as is the case with Maj. Raymond H. Wilkins who was shot down over the Pacific, have a cenotaph in their honor. Major Wilkins' cenotaph is in Olive Branch Cemetery by Portsmouth City Park. Lt. Mitchell and Lt. Ohmsen are both buried in All Saints (formerly St. Paul's) Catholic Cemetery. Coxswain Barrow's final resting place is Evergreen Memorial Park.
Charles Veal is buried in Hampton National Cemetery across the water from Portsmouth.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This is Portsmouth's Medal of Honor marker erected two years prior two blocks north.
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, April 10, 2026
3. Portsmouth Medal of Honor Memorial
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, April 10, 2026
4. Portsmouth Medal of Honor Memorial
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, October 18, 2025
5. Portsmouth Medal of Honor Memorial
Marker is at the base of the flagpole on the pavilion shown.
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, October 18, 2025
6. 1998 Rear Admiral Allan B. Roby Memorial Tablet
The steps leading up to the flagpole & Medal of Honor Memorial feature two other related tablets regarding individuals involved in the creation of the flag pavilion in the late 1980s.
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, October 18, 2025
7. Founders of the Portsmouth Flag Associates Tablet
The steps leading up to the flagpole & Medal of Honor Memorial feature two other related tablets regarding individuals involved in the creation of the flag pavilion in the late 1980s.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 10, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 78 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on February 10, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 12, 2026, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. 5, 6, 7. submitted on February 10, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
