William Shipman

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Coxswain William Shipman, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving on board the U.S.S. TICONDEROGA in the attack upon Fort Fisher, North Carolina, on 15 January 1865. As Captain of No. 2 gun, stationed near the 100-pounder Parrott rifle when it burst into fragments, killing eight men and wounding 12 more, Coxswain Shipman promptly recognized the effect produced by the explosion and, despite the carnage surrounding them, and the enemy’s fire, encouraged the men at their guns by exclaiming “Go ahead, boys! This is only the fortunes of war!”