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U.S. Navy

William Young

ConflictCivil War

Year of Action1862

Unit/CommandUSS Cayuga

BirthplaceNew York

Citation

On board the USS Cayuga during the capture of Forts St. Philip and Jackson and the taking of New Orleans, 24 and 25 April 1862. As his ship led the advance column toward the barrier and both forts opened fire simultaneously, striking the vessel from stem to stern, Young calmly manned a Parrot gun throughout the action in which attempts by three rebel steamers to butt and board were thwarted and the ships driven off or captured, 11 gunboats were successfully engaged and garrisons forced to surrender. During the battle, the Cayuga sustained 46 hits.

Branch: U.S. Navy Conflict: Civil War Year of Action: 1862