Career
He is one of only nineteen people who have received the Medal of Honor twice and one of only fourteen to receive the Medal of Honor for two distinct events. His first such award came about because of his actions aboard the United States Ship Brooklyn (1858) during the Battle of Mobile Bay, August 5, 1864. The second award was a result of an accidental fire in which Cooper advanced through the burning area in order to rescue a wounded man from certain death on April 26, 1865.
He was buried at Cypress Hills National Cemetery, Section 2, Grave 7410, in Brooklyn, New New York
Rank and organization: Coxswain, United States. Navy. Born: 1832, Ireland. Accredited to: New New York
G.O. Number.: 45, December 31, 1864. Second award. First award
Citation:
On board the United States.S. Brooklyn during action against rebel forts and gunboats and with the ram Tennessee, in Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864.
Second award
G.O. Number.: 62, June 29, 1865.
Citation:
Served as quartermaster on Acting Rear Admiral Thatcher"s staff During the terrific fire at Mobile, on 26 April 1865, at the risk of being blown to pieces by exploding shells, Cooper advanced through the burning locality, rescued a wounded man from certain death, and bore him on his back to a place of safety.
