Years of service 1863 - 1865 Rank Private | Role Medal of Honor Name William Downey Awards Medal of Honor | |
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Buried at Saint Marys Cemetery, New Bedford, Massachusetts Allegiance United States of America Died June 30, 1909, Massachusetts, United States Place of burial New Bedford, Massachusetts, United States | ||
Service/branch United States Army | ||
William Downey (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 24 May 1864. He was honored with the award on 21 January 1897.
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Biography
Downey was born in 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.
Downey died on 30 June 1909 and his remains are interred at Saint Mary's Cemetery in New Bedford, Massachusetts.
Medal of Honor citation
Volunteered as a member of a boatcrew which went to the rescue of a large number of Union soldiers on board the stranded steamer Boston, and with great gallantry assisted in conveying them to shore, being exposed during the entire time to a heavy fire from a Confederate batter.