
Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Stories of Sacrifice
U.S. Civil War - U.S. Navy
William Doolen
Details
- Also Known As: Dolan, William
- Rank: Coal Heaver
- Conflict/Era: U.S. Civil War
- Unit/Command:
U.S.S. Richmond - Military Service Branch: U.S. Navy
- Medal of Honor Action Date: August 5, 1864
- Medal of Honor Action Place: Mobile Bay, Alabama, USA
Citation
On board the U.S.S. Richmond during action against rebel forts and gunboats and with the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864. Although knocked down and seriously wounded in the head, Doolen refused to leave his station as shot and shell passed. Calm and courageous, he rendered gallant service throughout the prolonged battle, which resulted in the surrender of the rebel ram Tennessee and in the successful attacks carried out on Fort Morgan despite the enemy's heavy return fire.

Additional Details
- Accredited to: Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
- Awarded Posthumously: No
- Born: March 4, 1825, County Kildare, Ireland
- Died: September 14, 1895, Laramie County, WY, United States
- Buried: Olivet Catholic Cemetery (PM) (1-6-15), Cheyenne, WY, United States