Return to Naval Historical Center home page. Return to Online Library Listing

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Photo # NH 105360:  Medal of Honor awarded to Ship's Cook William Blagheen, 1864

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --

Ship's Cook William Blagheen, USN, (1832-1???)
Name also given as William Blagden

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.


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: NH 105360

U.S. Navy Medal of Honor


Reverse of a Medal of Honor awarded to Ship's Cook William Blagheen, USN, for remaining steadfast at his post on board USS Brooklyn during the furious action at the Battle of Mobile Bay, Alabama, 5 August 1864.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 102KB; 540 x 765 pixels

 



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):

"On board the U.S.S. Brooklyn during successful attacks against Fort Morgan, rebel gunboats and the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay, on 5 August 1864. Stationed in the immediate vicinity of the shell whips which were twice cleared of men by bursting shells, Blagheen remained steadfast at his post and performed his duties in the powder division throughout the furious action, which resulted in the surrender of the prize rebel ram Tennessee and in the damaging and destruction of batteries at Fort Morgan."


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

Page made 17 December 2007