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Service Profile
- Branch
- U.S. Navy
- Rank
- Quartermaster
- Service Era
- American Civil War, Battle of Cherbourg (1864)
- Medals Recorded
- 1
William Smith
Quartermaster, U.S. Navy
Support & adopt this hero ↓American Civil WarBattle of Cherbourg (1864)
Awards & Decorations
Ribbon Rack
Biography
William Smith served at one of the most famous single-ship actions of the Civil War, manning USS Kearsarge's heavy pivot gun during the destruction of CSS Alabama off Cherbourg.
Smith served in the Union Navy as quartermaster aboard USS Kearsarge. On 19 June 1864, Kearsarge met Alabama off the French coast. Smith was attached to the ship's 11-inch pivot gun and carried out his duties throughout the engagement.
Medal of Honor Citation (condensed): During Kearsarge's battle with CSS Alabama off Cherbourg on 19 June 1864, Smith performed his duties at the 11-inch pivot gun with marked courage and effectiveness under fire.
The authoritative Medal of Honor sources disagree materially about Smith's birthplace, and the reviewed record does not establish a reliable death or burial entry. Those details are therefore omitted rather than risking a namesake mix-up.
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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