William B. Poole
Encyclopedia
William B. Poole was an American sailor who received the Medal of Honor
for valor in action during the American Civil War
.
Poole was born in Maine
in 1833. On June 19, 1864 he was serving as a Quartermaster
on the sloop of war when she sank the commerce raider off Cherbourg, France. He was awarded his Medal of Honor for gallantry under fire exhibited while steering the ship.
Poole died in 1904 and is buried in Pine Grove Cemetery
in Lynn, Massachusetts
. Fellow Civil War Medal of Honor recipient John G. B. Adams is buried in the same cemetery.
Citation:
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for valor in action during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
Poole was born in Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
in 1833. On June 19, 1864 he was serving as a Quartermaster
Quartermaster
Quartermaster refers to two different military occupations depending on if the assigned unit is land based or naval.In land armies, especially US units, it is a term referring to either an individual soldier or a unit who specializes in distributing supplies and provisions to troops. The senior...
on the sloop of war when she sank the commerce raider off Cherbourg, France. He was awarded his Medal of Honor for gallantry under fire exhibited while steering the ship.
Poole died in 1904 and is buried in Pine Grove Cemetery
Pine Grove Cemetery (Lynn, Massachusetts)
Pine Grove Cemetery is a cemetery located in Lynn, Massachusetts. It was established in the mid-19th century and it consists of 82 developed acres. There are approximately 88,000 to 90,000 interments at the cemetery.-History:...
in Lynn, Massachusetts
Lynn, Massachusetts
Lynn is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 89,050 at the 2000 census. An old industrial center, Lynn is home to Lynn Beach and Lynn Heritage State Park and is about north of downtown Boston.-17th century:...
. Fellow Civil War Medal of Honor recipient John G. B. Adams is buried in the same cemetery.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Quartermaster, U.S. Navy. Born: 1833 Maine. Accredited to: Maine. G.O. No.: 45, December 31, 1864.Citation:
Service as quartermaster on board the U.S.S. Kearsarge when she destroyed the Alabama off Cherbourg, France, 19 June 1864. Stationed at the helm, Poole steered the ship during the engagement in a cool and most creditable manner and was highly commended by his divisional officer for his gallantry under fire.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: M–P