William Pelham (Medal of Honor recipient)

Infobox Military Person
name=William R. Pelham
born= Birth date|1845|12|24 or birth date|1847|12|8
died= death date and age|1933|3|30|1847|12|8Records are inconsistent on Pelham's date and place of birth. The book "Deeds of Valor" states that he was born on December 24 1845 in New York City. [http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/images/h79000/h79931.jpg] The Naval Historical Center states that he was born on 8 December 1847 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. [http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/pers-us/uspers-p/w-pelham.htm] His Medal of Honor citation states that he was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia. [http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/civwarmz.html] ]
placeofbirth=Halifax, Nova Scotia or New York City
placeofdeath=Brooklyn, New York
placeofburial=


caption=Landsman William Pelham
nickname=
allegiance=United States of America
branch=United States Navy
serviceyears=
rank=Landsman
commands=
unit=USS "Hartford"
battles=American Civil War *Battle of Mobile Bay
awards=Medal of Honor
relations=
laterwork=

William R. Pelham (December 24, 1845 or December 8, 1847 – March 30, 1933) was a Union Navy sailor during the American Civil War and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions at the Battle of Mobile Bay.

Biography

Pelham enlisted in the Navy from either Nova Scotia or New York CityRecords are inconsistent on Pelham's place of enlistment. His Medal of Honor citation states that he enlisted in Nova Scotia. [http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/civwarmz.html] The Naval Historical Center states that he enlisted in New York City. [http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/pers-us/uspers-p/w-pelham.htm] ] and took part in the Civil War as a Landsman on Rear Admiral David Farragut's flagship, the USS "Hartford". On 5 August 1864, the "Hartford" participated in the Battle of Mobile Bay, Alabama. Five months after the battle, on 31 December 1864, Pelham was issued the Medal of Honor for his conduct in that action.

Pelham died at age 85 or 87 and was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York.

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and Organization::Landsman, U.S. Navy. Born: Halifax, Nova Scotia. Enlisted in: Nova Scotia. G.O. No.: 45, 31 December 1864.

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 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".cite web
publisher = American Civil War website
title = PELHAM, WILLIAM, Civil War Medal of Honor recipient
date = 2007-11-08
url = http://americancivilwar.com/medal_of_honor7.html
accessdate = 2007-11-08]

ee also

*List of Medal of Honor recipients
*

Notes

References

:NHC
*cite web
publisher = Naval Historical Center
title = US People - Pelham, William R., Landsman
work = Online Library
date = 15 March 2006
url = http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/pers-us/uspers-p/w-pelham.htm
accessdate = 2007-03-22
* [http://www.army.mil/cmh/html/moh/civwarmz.html Army Medal of Honor website M-Z] Center of Military History
*findagrave|8204448 Retrieved on 2007-11-08