William Wells (Medal of Honor)

William Wells (b. 1832 - d. February 8, 1868) 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.

For another William Wells who also received the Medal of Honor in the Civil War, see William Wells (general). For other people of this name, see William Wells (disambiguation).
William Wells
Civil War era Navy Medal of Honor
Born1832
Germany
DiedFebruary 8, 1868
on the receiving ship USS Vermont at the Brooklyn Navy Yard
Place of burial
Brooklyn Naval Hospital Cemetery
Allegiance United States of America
Union
Service/branch United States Navy
Union Navy
RankQuartermaster
UnitUSS Brooklyn
USS Richmond
USS Colorado
USS Wampanoag
Battles/warsAmerican 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.

See also

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.


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