William Newland enlisted with the U.S. Navy from his birth state of Massachusetts in 1862 [1] and served as an Ordinary Seaman on the USS Oneida. His conduct as loader of Oneida's after 11-inch gun during the August 5, 1864 Battle of Mobile Bay was recognized by the award of the Medal of Honor.
Ordinary Seaman, U.S. Navy. Born: 1841, Medway, Mass. Accredited to: Massachusetts. G.O. No.: 45, 31 December 1864.
Citation:
Serving on board the U.S.S. Oneida in the engagement at Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864. Carrying out his duties as loader of the after 11-inch gun, Newland distinguished himself on board for his good conduct and faithful discharge of his station, behaving splendidly under the fire of the enemy and throughout the battle which resulted in the capture of the rebel ram CSS Tennessee and the damaging of Fort Morgan.[2]