William Young (Medal of Honor)

William Young was a United States Navy sailor who earned the Medal of Honor for courage under fire during the American Civil War. Born in New York around 1835, Young served as a Boatswain’s Mate aboard the USS Cayuga, a Union Navy gunboat that took part in one of the war’s important naval operations: the capture of New Orleans.

On April 24 and 25, 1862, Cayuga led the Union advance past Forts Jackson and St. Philip on the Mississippi River. The ship came under heavy fire from Confederate forts, gunboats, and steamers as it helped force a path toward New Orleans. During the action, Young served at a Parrott rifle gun, remaining at his post and performing his duties with steadiness and bravery despite the danger around him.

For his conduct in battle, William Young was awarded the Medal of Honor on April 3, 1863. His citation recognized his gallantry while serving aboard Cayuga during the engagement that helped open the Mississippi River and led to the fall of New Orleans.

Young survived the war and later died on December 26, 1878, in Erie, Pennsylvania. He is buried in Erie Cemetery. Though not widely known today, his Medal of Honor record preserves the story of a sailor who performed his duty with calm courage in one of the Union Navy’s decisive Civil War campaigns.