Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Stories of Sacrifice
U.S. Civil War - U.S. Navy
William Pelham
Details
- Rank: Landsman
- Conflict/Era: U.S. Civil War
- Unit/Command:
U.S.S. Hartford - 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 flagship U.S.S. Hartford, during successful actions against Fort Morgan, rebel gunboats and the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864. When other members of his crewgun were killed or wounded under the enemy's terrific shellfire, Pelham calmly assisted the casualties below and voluntarily returned and took his place at an adjoining gun where another man had been struck down. He continued to fight his gun throughout the remainder of the battle which resulted in the capture of the Tennessee.
Additional Details
- Accredited to: New York, New York
- Awarded Posthumously: No
- Born: December 8, 1847, Halifax, Canada
- Died: March 30, 1933, Brooklyn, NY, United States
- Buried: Holy Cross Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY, United States
- Location of Medal: Naval Historical Center, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, DC