William C. Connor

He held his post under crossfire off Wilmington

William C. Connor received the Medal of Honor while serving as a boatswain’s mate aboard USS Howquah during the American Civil War. On 25 September 1864, the ship took part in the destruction of the blockade runner Lynx off Wilmington, North Carolina. Connor remained at his station despite cross-fire from Confederate shore batteries and Union vessels. His citation honors the steadiness with which he performed his duties in a dangerous naval engagement.

Connor was born in Cork, Ireland, in 1832. He died on 12 January 1912 and was buried at Calvary Cemetery in Woodside, New York.

Medal of Honor citation

Served on board the U.S.S. Howquah on the occasion of the destruction of the blockade runner Lynx, off Wilmington, 25 September 1864. Performing his duty faithfully under the most trying circumstances, Connor stood firmly at his post in the midst of a cross-fire from the rebel shore batteries and our own vessels.