b. 1833 Cape Elizabeth, Maine. d. 15/08/1904 Lynn, Massachusetts.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 19/06/1864 Cherbourg, France.
Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient. He served in the Union Navy as a Quartermaster on board the sloop-of-war “USS Kearsarge”. He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery in action when the “Kearsarge” fought and destroyed the Confederate Navy commerce raider “CSS Alabama” off Cherbourg, France on June 19, 1864.
His citation reads “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.” His Medal was awarded to him on December 31, 1864.
He was one of seventeen “Kearsarge” crewmen to be awarded the Medal of Honor for their bravery during the battle, including Paymaster’s Steward Michael Ahern, Captain of the Top John F. Bickford, Boatswain’s Mate William S. Bond, Captain of the Forecastle James Haley, Carpenter’s Mate Mark G. Ham, Seaman George H. Harrison, Coxswain John Hayes, Seaman James H. Lee, Seaman Charles Moore, Seaman Joachim Pease, Boatswain’s Mate Thomas Perry, Coxswain Charles A. Read, Seaman George E. Read, Chief Quartermaster James Saunders, Quartermaster William Smith and Captain of the Top Robert Strahan.
MOH CITATION:
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.
BURIAL LOCATION: PINE GROVE CEMETERY, LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS.
BIGONIA PATH, LOT 32, GRAVE 3.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.
