Service Profile

Branch: U.S. Navy
Rank: Boatswain's mate
Service Era: American Civil War, Battle of Island Number Ten, Battle of Plum Point Bend, First Battle of Memphis, Siege of Vicksburg, Battle of Grand Gulf, Red River Campaign, Battle of Fort DeRussy
Medals Recorded: 1

William Martin

Boatswain's mate, U.S. Navy

American Civil WarBattle of Island Number TenBattle of Plum Point BendFirst Battle of MemphisSiege of VicksburgBattle of Grand GulfRed River CampaignBattle of Fort DeRussy

Awards & Decorations

Medal of Honor 1862–1912 Navy

Ribbon Rack

Biography

William Martin served aboard the ironclad USS Benton during the assault on Haines Bluff, remaining at his duties through roughly an hour and a half of heavy fire on the Yazoo River.

Martin served in the U.S. Navy as a boatswain's mate aboard Benton and later reached master's mate. On 27 December 1862 the gunboat engaged Confederate defenses at Haines Bluff, Mississippi. Martin continued to perform his duties under accurate, heavy fire until the Union force withdrew.

Medal of Honor Citation (condensed): During the Haines Bluff action, Martin served courageously aboard USS Benton under sustained heavy fire until the ship was ordered to withdraw.

Authoritative sources disagree about his birthplace, so no birthplace is asserted here. The Congressional Medal of Honor Society records his burial in Alto Pass Cemetery in Illinois.

The source rack used the generic Army campaign entry. Martin's proposed rack is the Medal of Honor and the Navy Civil War Campaign Medal. No ribbon device is supported.

Support & adopt

Become the named supporter for this profile and edit the tribute biography and portrait (Owner account required). Proceeds help keep the archive online.

$25 USD / year — annual sponsorship renewal. Keeps the page online and, where enabled, the family anniversary remembrance emails active.