b. 1841 County Kildare, Ireland. d. 14/09/1895 Cheyenne, Wyoming.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 05/08/1864 Mobile Bay, Alabama.
Born as ‘William Dolan in 1841 in County Kildare, Ireland, Doolen immigrated to the United States and was living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, when he joined the U.S. Navy. He served during the Civil War as a coal heaver on the USS Richmond. At the Battle of Mobile Bay on August 5, 1864, he “rendered gallant service” despite heavy fire, even after receiving a serious wound to the head. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor four months later, on December 31, 1864.
MOH CITATION:
On board the U.S.S. Richmond during action against rebel forts and gunboats and with the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864. Although knocked down and seriously wounded in the head, Doolen refused to leave his station as shot and shell passed. Calm and courageous, he rendered gallant service throughout the prolonged battle which resulted in the surrender of the rebel ram Tennessee and in the successful attacks carried out on Fort Morgan despite the enemy’s heavy return fire.
BURIAL LOCATION: MOUNT OLIVET CEMETERY, CHEYENNE, WYOMING.
BLOCK 1, ROW 6, LOT 15
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.
