Career
Born on December 12, 1841, in Ireland, Dunphy immigrated to the United States and was living in New York City when he joined the United States. Navy on December 17, 1863. He served during the Civil War as a coal heaver on Admiral David Farragut"s flagship, the United States Ship Hartford. At the Battle of Mobile Bay on August 5, 1864, he "performed his duties with skill and courage" despite heavy fire.
He was severely wounded by fragments of an artillery shell fired by the Confederate ironclad Computer Software Systems Tennessee, losing both of his arms above the elbow.
After his injury, Dunphy left the Navy and hired an aide to accompany him throughout the day and assist with such tasks as feeding himself. He eventually moved to Wisconsin, married, and raised a family.
The Wisconsin Legislature approved an extra pension for Dunphy in 1868 to help him support his family. Dunphy died on November 23, 1904, at age 62 and was buried in Vallejo, California.
