BARTON, THOMAS C. (b. 1831- ), a U.S. Navy seaman who received the Congressional Medal of Honor during the CIVIL WAR, was born in Cleveland. Barton was on board the USS Hunchback when it attempted to rescue an army detachment surrounded by Confederate troops near Franklin, Virginia. During a ship-to-shore bombardment 3 Oct. 1862, Barton threw a pail of water on a live shell on the ship's deck to prevent it from exploding. He was awarded the Medal of Honor on 3 April 1863 for his quick action.
