Boatswain William S. Bond was a sailor in the U.S. Navy who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on June 19, 1864 off Cherbourg, France during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Kearsarge. Bond was about 25 years old.
16 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. He later rose to the rank of WO Boatswain's Mate.
Bond was born in 1839 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. Bond died on March 17, 1892 in Vallejo, California, at the age of about 53. He is buried at Sunrise Memorial Cemetery in Vallejo, California.
Bond is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 265 credited to Massachusetts.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Served on board the U.S.S. Kearsarge when she destroyed the Alabama off Cherbourg, France, 19 June 1864. Carrying out his duties courageously, Bond exhibited marked coolness and good conduct and was highly recommended for his gallantry under fire by his divisional officer.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Battle of Cherbourg.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Massachusetts →
Timeline
- 1839Born in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts
- June 19, 1864Act of valor — off Cherbourg, FranceAge about 25. U.S.S. Kearsarge
- March 17, 1892Died in Vallejo, CaliforniaAge about 53.
- Resting placeSunrise Memorial CemeteryVallejo, California
Biography
Boatswain's Mate William S. Bond (c. 1839 to March 17, 1892) was an American soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Bond received the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action aboard the USS Kearsarge near Cherbourg-Octeville, France on June 19, 1864. He was honored with the award on 31 December 1864.
From the Wikipedia article “William S. Bond (Medal of Honor)”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
