William Blagheen was born in 1832 in Devonshire, England. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy from New York and served as a Ship's Cook on board the screw sloop Brooklyn during the United States Civil War. On 5 August 1864, during the Battle of Mobile Bay, Alabama, Blagheen remained steadfast at his post despite intense enemy shellfire. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his conduct during that action.
Note: Though our main source ("Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy") gives this man's family name as Blagheen, as is generally used in this presentation, the book "Medal of Honor Recipients 1863-1994 -- Volume I -- Civil War to 2nd Nicaraguan Campaign" cites his "True Name" as William Blagden.
This page features the only image we have concerning William Blagheen.
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U.S. Navy Medal of Honor citation of Ship's Cook William Blagheen USN (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 15): |
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Page made 17 December 2007