b. 1842 Fogo Island, Cape Verde Islands. d. ?
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 19/06/1864 off Cherbourg, France.
Joachim Pease MOH
Although Joachim Pease has been referred to as a native of Long Island, New York, recently unearthed records in the National Archives show that when he enlisted in the United States Navy as an Ordinary Seaman on January 12, 1862 for a three-year hitch, he listed his birthplace as Fogo Island which is probably Fogo Island, Cape Verde. He was described as twenty years old, five feet, six and a half inches tall, with black hair and eyes and a “negro” complexion.
Joachim Pease enlisted in the Navy from New Bedford, Massachusetts, not New York City, as commonly reported, and served on board USS Kearsarge during the Civil War. On June 19, 1864, off the coast of Cherbourg, France, Kearsarge battled the Confederate sloop-of-war CSS Alabama.
For his conduct during the Battle of Cherbourg, Pease was awarded the Medal of Honor. He left the Navy at the end of his enlistment in 1865 never having received his Medal of Honor. His final fate is unknown, and speculations that he may have resumed life in the merchant navy or returned to Fogo Island remains unproven.
Pease’s Medal of Honour is on display in the National Museum of the United States Navy, located in the Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C.. The medal is slated to be handed over to any possible descendants.
MOH CITATION:
Served as seaman on board the U.S.S. Kearsarge when she destroyed the Alabama off Cherbourg, France, 19 June 1864. Acting as loader on the No. 2 gun during this bitter engagement, Pease exhibited marked coolness and good conduct and was highly recommended by the divisional officer for gallantry under fire.
BURIAL LOCATION: UNKNOWN.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER, WASHINGTON NAVY YARD, WASHINGTON DC.
