The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Shell Man William A. Stanley, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving as Shell Man on No. 8 on board the U.S.S. Hartford during successful actions against Fort Morgan, rebel gunboats and the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay, Alabama, on 5 August 1864. Although severely wounded when his ship sustained numerous hits under the enemy’s terrific shellfire, Shell Man Stanley continued to pass shell until forced by the loss of blood to go below.