William Downey (Medal of Honor) explained

William Downey
Birth Date:c. 1832
Birth Place:Ireland
Death Place:New Bedford, Massachusetts, United States
Placeofburial:Saint Mary's Cemetery, New Bedford
Serviceyears:1863 - 1865
Rank:Private
Unit: 4th Massachusetts Volunteer Cavalry Regiment - Company B
Awards: Medal of Honor

William Downey (c. 1832  - June 30, 1909) was an Irish soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Downey received the United States' highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action at Ashepoo River, South Carolina on May 24, 1864. He was honored with the award on January 21, 1897.[1] [2] [3]

Biography

Downey was born in Limerick, Ireland in 1832, and joined the US Army from Fall River, Massachusetts in September 1863. He was captured at the Battle of Gainesville, and paroled in April 1865. He was mustered out in June 1865.[4]

Downey died in New Bedford, Massachusetts on June 30, 1909, and his remains are interred there at Saint Mary's Cemetery.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Civil War (A-L) Medal of Honor Recipients . 26 November 2013.
  2. Web site: William Downey . 26 November 2013.
  3. Web site: U.S. Army Medal of Honor Recipients . 26 November 2013.
  4. https://archive.org/stream/massachusettssol61931mass#page/430/mode/2up Massachusetts Soldiers, Sailors and Marines in the Civil War
  5. News: New Bedford . Fall River Daily Globe . 3 . 1909-07-01 . 2023-07-12 . Newspapers.com.