Michael Aheam

Exhibited marked coolness and courage during a naval clash.

Michael Aheam was at his station aboard USS Kearsarge when the Union sloop met and destroyed the Confederate raider CSS Alabama off Cherbourg, France, on June 19, 1864. The battle was fought in international view and became one of the best-known single-ship actions of the Civil War.

Aheam, an Irish-born paymaster's steward in the U.S. Navy, was praised for the way he carried out his duties under fire. His divisional officer specifically recommended him for the coolness, good conduct, and gallantry he displayed while Kearsarge fought Alabama.

Medal of Honor Citation (condensed): While serving aboard USS Kearsarge during the destruction of CSS Alabama off Cherbourg, Aheam performed his duties courageously and showed marked coolness and good conduct under enemy fire.

Reliable sources reviewed for this project do not establish his later life or date of death with enough certainty to add further detail.