The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Seaman William Gardner, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action, serving as Seaman on board the U.S.S. Galena in the engagement at Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864. Serving gallantly during this fierce battle which resulted in the capture of the rebel ram Tennessee and the damaging of Fort Morgan, Seaman Gardner behaved with conspicuous coolness under the fire of the enemy.