b. 1840 Liverpool, England. d. 20/04/1876 at sea.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 05/08/1864 Mobile Bay, Alabama.
Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient. He entered the Union Navy at New York, New York and he served as a Seaman. His citation reads “Stationed at the wheel on board the USS Brooklyn during action against rebel forts and gunboats and with the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay (Alabama), 5 August 1864. When heavy enemy fire struck down several men at their guns and replacements were were not available, Irlam voluntarily released two men who were stationed with him and carried on at the wheel with the assistance of only one of the crew throughout the furious battle.” He died at sea on or around April 20, 1876, on board the LOCH LAGGAN, lost with all hands having sailed from Liverpool, England on October 1, 1875, on an expected 3 year round trip.
MOH CITATION:
Stationed at the wheel on board the U.S.S. Brooklyn during action against rebel forts and gunboats and with the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864. When heavy enemy fire struck down several men at their guns and replacements were not available, Irlam voluntarily released two men who were stationed with him and carried on at the wheel with the assistance of only one of the crew throughout the furious battle.
BURIAL LOCATION: LOST AT SEA.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.