William Smith
Born: 1848 at Bath, Maine
Home Town: San Francisco, California
Medal of Honor
U.S. Army
American Indian Wars
Date of Issue: February 14, 1870
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private William Smith, United States Army, for gallantry in action on 20 October 1869, while serving with Company G, 1st U.S. Cavalry, in action at Chiricahua Mountains, Arizona Territory.
Medal of Honor
U.S. Navy
American Civil War
War Department, General Orders No. 45 (December 31, 1864)
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Quartermaster William Smith, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action as Second Quartermaster on board the U.S.S. Kearsarge when she destroyed the Alabama off Cherbourg, France, 19 June 1864. Acting as Captain of the 11-inch pivot gun of the second division, Quartermaster Smith carried out his duties courageously and deserved special notice for the deliberate and cool manner in which he acted throughout the bitter engagement. It is stated by rebel officers that this gun was more destructive and did more damage than any other gun of Kearsarge.
