William B. Poole (1833–1904) was an American sailor who received the Medal of Honor for valor in action during the American Civil War.

William B. Poole
Born1833 (1833)[1]
Cape Elizabeth, Maine[2][1]
DiedAugust 1904 (aged 70–71)
Lynn, Massachusetts[2]
Buried
AllegianceUnited States of America
Union
Service / branchUnited States Navy
Union Navy
Rank
UnitUSS Kearsarge
Battles / warsAmerican Civil War
Battle of Cherbourg (1864)
AwardsMedal of Honor

Poole was born in Maine in 1833. On June 19, 1864, he was serving as a quartermaster on the sloop of war USS Kearsarge when she sank the commerce raider CSS Alabama off Cherbourg, France. He was awarded his Medal of Honor for gallantry under fire exhibited while steering the ship.

Poole died on August 15, 1904[2] and is buried in Pine Grove Cemetery in Lynn, Massachusetts.[2] Fellow Civil War Medal of Honor recipient John G. B. Adams is buried in the same cemetery.

Medal of Honor citation

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Rank and organization: Quartermaster, U.S. Navy. Born: 1833 Maine. Accredited to: Maine. G.O. No.: 45, December 31, 1864.

Citation:

Service as quartermaster on board the U.S.S. Kearsarge when she destroyed the Alabama off Cherbourg, France, 19 June 1864. Stationed at the helm, Poole steered the ship during the engagement in a cool and most creditable manner and was highly commended by his divisional officer for his gallantry under fire.[3]

See also

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References

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  This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.
  1. ^ a b c "Civil War Sailors Record of William B. Poole". mainegenealogy.net. Maine Genealogy. Retrieved 2023-08-24.
  2. ^ a b c d "William B. Poole". cmohs.org. Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Retrieved 2023-08-24. Served as quartermaster on board the U.S.S. Kearsarge when she destroyed the Alabama off Cherbourg, France, 19 June 1864. Stationed at the helm, Poole steered the ship during the engagement in a cool and most creditable manner and was highly commended by his divisional officer for his gallantry under fire.
  3. ^ ""WILLIAM B. POOLE" entry". Civil War Medal of Honor recipients (M-Z). United States Army Center of Military History. June 8, 2009. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
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