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★Victoria Cross

A comprehensive archive of decorated military heroes from Commonwealth, American, and allied traditions, ranked by the Unified Scoring Matrix (USM-25). Honouring valour through history.

USM-25.2Scoring Standard

Scored under the Unified Scoring Matrix (USM-25)

William Pelham — Victoria Cross

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Service Profile

Branch: U.S. Navy
Rank: Landsman
Service Era: American Civil War, Battle of Mobile Bay
Medals Recorded: 2

William Pelham

Landsman, U.S. Navy

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American Civil WarBattle of Mobile Bay

Awards & Decorations

Medal of Honor 1862-1895 Army
Civil War Campaign Medal 1862–1895 Army

Ribbon Rack

Biography

In the close-range battle of Mobile Bay, William Pelham left his gun only long enough to help wounded shipmates, then returned to the fight.

Born on 8 December 1847 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Pelham served in the Union Navy as a landsman aboard USS Hartford. On 5 August 1864, Hartford fought through the defenses of Mobile Bay in one of the war's most important naval engagements. Pelham assisted casualties and then resumed his duty at the ship's guns.

Medal of Honor Citation (condensed): During the Battle of Mobile Bay on 5 August 1864, Pelham helped wounded men below and then returned to his gun, continuing to serve under heavy enemy fire.

Pelham died on 30 March 1933 in Brooklyn, New York, and was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery.

His verified rack consists of the Medal of Honor and the Navy Civil War Campaign Medal. The generic Army Civil War Campaign Medal should be replaced by the service-specific Navy medal. No ribbon device is supported.

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