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 79931:  Landsman William R. Pelham

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

Landsman William R. Pelham, USN, (1837-1933)

William R. Pelham was born at Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada on 8 December 1847. He enlisted in the US Navy at New York, New York, and took part in the Civil War as a crewmember of Rear Admiral Farragut's flagship Hartford. During the Battle of Mobile Bay, on 5 August 1864, his gun was disabled, with many of its crew killed or injured. After assisting the casualties, Pelham served at a nearby gun until the end of the battle, which resulted in the capture of CSS Tennessee. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his conduct in that action. William R. Pelham died on 30 March 1933 at Brooklyn, New York.

This page features the only image we have concerning William R. Pelham.


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 79931

Landsman William R. Pelham, USN


Halftone reproduction of a photograph, published in "Deeds of Valor", Volume II, page 72, by the Perrien-Keydel Company, Detroit, 1907.
William R. Pelham received the Medal of Honor for his conduct on board USS Hartford during the Battle of Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864.

US Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 47KB; 575 x 765 pixels

 



Medal of Honor citation of Landsman William R. Pelham (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 43):

"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 gun crew 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."


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 15 March 2006