William Wells (Medal of Honor)
William Wells (born 1832, date of death unknown) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the American Civil War.
William Wells | |
|---|---|
.png.webp) Civil War era Navy Medal of Honor | |
| Born | 1832 Germany |
| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Service/ | United States Navy Union Navy |
| Rank | Quartermaster |
| Unit | USS Richmond |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War *Battle of Mobile Bay |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
Wells had reached the rank of quartermaster by the time his Medal of Honor was awarded on December 31, 1864.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Quartermaster, U.S. Navy. Born: 1832, Germany. Accredited to: New York. G.O. No.: 45, December 31, 1864.
Citation:
As landsman and lookout on board the U.S.S. Richmond during action against rebel forts and gunboats and with the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864. Despite damage to his ship the loss of several men on board as enemy fire raked her decks, Wells performed his duties with skill and courage throughout a furious 2-hour battle which resulted in the surrender of the rebel ram Tennessee and in the damaging and destruction of batteries at Fort Morgan.
References
- "Civil War Medal of Honor recipients (M-Z)". Medal of Honor citations. United States Army Center of Military History. September 1, 2004. Retrieved 2007-02-12.