William Pelham

Career

Pelham enlisted in the Navy from either Nova Scotia or New York City and took part in the Civil War as a Landsman on Rear Admiral David Farragut"s flagship, the United States Ship Hartford. On August 5, 1864, the Hartford participated in the Battle of Mobile Bay, Alabama. Pelham died at age 85 or 87 and was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Brooklyn, New New York

Achievements

Five months after the battle, on December 31, 1864, Pelham was issued the Medal of Honor for his conduct in that action.

Membership

When the other members of his guncrew 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.

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Born

December 24, 1845

Halifax, Canada
Died

March 30, 1933 (aged 87)
Nationality
American

Awards

Medal of Honor Medal of Honor

Medal of Honor citation Rank and Organization: Landsman, U.S. Navy. Born: Halifax, Nova Scotia. Enlisted in: Nova Scotia. G.O. No.: 45, December 31, 1864. Citation: On board the flagship U.S.S. Hartford during successful actions against Fort Morgan, rebel gunboats and the ram CSS Tennessee (1863) in Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864. When the other members of his guncrew 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.

Medal of Honor citation Rank and Organization: Landsman, U.S. Navy. Born: Halifax, Nova Scotia. Enlisted in: Nova Scotia. G.O. No.: 45, December 31, 1864. Citation: On board the flagship U.S.S. Hartford during successful actions against Fort Morgan, rebel gunboats and the ram CSS Tennessee (1863) in Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864. When the other members of his guncrew 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.

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William Pelham

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William Pelham

Career

Achievements

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Born

Died

Nationality

Awards

Medal of Honor Medal of Honor