William Radford
| William Radford | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 1, 1808 Fincastle, Virginia |
| Died | January 8, 1890 (aged 81) Washington, D.C. |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/branch |  United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1825–1870 |
| Rank | Rear Admiral |
| Commands held | Cumberland New Ironsides European Squadron |
| Battles/wars | Mexican–American War American Civil War |
William Radford (1 March 1808–8 January 1890) was an rear admiral of the United States Navy, who served during the Mexican–American War and the American Civil War.[1]
Contents |
[edit] Biography
Radford was born in Fincastle, Virginia[1] and entered the United States Navy as a midshipman on 1 March 1825. Radford was promoted to passed midshipman on 4 June 1831, then to lieutenant on 9 February 1837.[2]
He commanded the landing party from the sloop Warren which captured the Mexican warship Malek Adhel at Mazatlán and took part in other Pacific coast operations during the Mexican War[1] of 1846–1848.
Promoted to commander on 14 September 1855,[2] during the Civil War he commanded the ill-fated frigate Cumberland, but was aboard the Roanoke as a member of a Court of Enquiry when his ship was attacked and sunk by the Confederate ram CSS Virginia[1] during the Battle of Hampton Roads on 8 March 1862.
Radford received promotion to captain on 16 July 1862, and to commodore on 24 April 1863,[2] subsequently commanding the armored ship New Ironsides, and leading the ironclads into action during Union attacks on Fort Fisher in December 1864 and in January 1865.[1] Naval commander David Dixon Porter commended Commodore Radford for the splendid support which New Ironsides had given the Union forces ashore,[3] and eight members of his crew were subsequently awarded the Medal of Honor.
Radford was promoted to rear admiral on 25 July 1866,[2] and commanded the European Squadron during 1869–1870.[1]
Radford retired on 1 March 1870,[2] and died at Washington, D.C. on 8 January 1890.[1]
[edit] Namesakes
Two ships of the U.S. Navy were named USS Radford in his honor.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f g "Radford (I)". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History & Heritage Command. 7 September 2004. http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/r1/radford-i.htm. Retrieved 24 October 2010.
- ^ a b c d e "US Navy Officers : 1775-1900 (R)". history.navy.mil. http://www.history.navy.mil/books/callahan/reg-usn-r.htm. Retrieved 24 October 2010.
- ^ "New Ironsides". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History & Heritage Command. http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/n4/new_ironsides.htm. Retrieved 24 October 2010.
[edit] External links
 |
This biographical article related to the United States Navy is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
