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Service Profile
- Branch
- U.S. Navy
- Rank
- Coxswain
- Service Era
- American Civil War, Second Battle of Fort Fisher
- Medals Recorded
- 1
William Shipman
Coxswain, U.S. Navy
Support & adopt this hero ↓American Civil WarSecond Battle of Fort Fisher
Awards & Decorations
Ribbon Rack
Biography
A catastrophic gun burst aboard USS Ticonderoga killed and wounded members of the crew at Fort Fisher, but Coxswain William Shipman helped steady the surviving gun crew and keep the ship in action.
Born in New York City in 1831, Shipman served in the Union Navy aboard USS Ticonderoga. On 15 January 1865, during the attack on Fort Fisher, North Carolina, a 100-pounder Parrott rifle burst aboard the ship, causing heavy casualties. Shipman continued at his station and encouraged the men around him.
Medal of Honor Citation (condensed): During the attack on Fort Fisher on 15 January 1865, Shipman displayed courage and steadiness after a heavy gun burst aboard Ticonderoga, helping sustain the crew during the action.
Shipman died on 17 April 1894 and was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in Yeadon, Pennsylvania.
His verified rack consists of the Medal of Honor and the Navy Civil War Campaign Medal. No clasp, service star, or other ribbon device is supported.
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