The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Ordinary Seaman William D. Newland, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving on board the U.S.S. Oneida in the engagement at Mobile Bay, Alabama, 5 August 1864. Carrying out his duties as loader of the after 11-inch gun, Ordinary Seaman 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 Tennessee and the damaging of Fort Morgan.