Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Stories of Sacrifice
U.S. Civil War - U.S. Army
William Downey
Details
- Rank: Private
- Conflict/Era: U.S. Civil War
- Unit/Command:
Company B,
4th Massachusetts Cavalry - Military Service Branch: U.S. Army
- Medal of Honor Action Date: May 24, 1864
- Medal of Honor Action Place: Ashepoo River, South Carolina, USA
Citation
Volunteered as a member of a boatcrew which went to the rescue of a large number of Union soldiers on board the stranded steamer Boston, and with great gallantry assisted in conveying them to shore, being exposed the entire time to a heavy fire from a Confederate battery.
Additional Details
- Accredited to: Fall River, Bristol County, Massachusetts
- Awarded Posthumously: No
- Presentation Date & Details: January 21, 1897
- Born: 1832, Ireland
- Died: June 30, 1909, New Bedford, MA, United States
- Buried: St. Mary's Cemetery (MH) (10-147-3-4), New Bedford, MA, United States