Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient. He served in the Union Navy as a Paymaster's Steward on board the sloop-of-war "USS Kearsarge", having been recruited illegally in Queenstown, Ireland (recruitment on foreign soil was prohibited). He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery in action when the "Kearsarge" fought and destroyed the Confederate Navy commerce raider "CSS Alabama" off Cherbourg, France on June 19, 1864. His citation reads "Carrying out his duties courageously, PmS. Aheam exhibited marked coolness and good conduct and was highly recommended by his divisional officer for gallantry under enemy fire." His Medal was awarded to him on December 31, 1864. After the war and his discharge from the United States Navy, he disappeared into history, and his subsequent life and final disposition remain unknown. He was one of seventeen "Kearsarge" crewmen to be awarded the Medal of Honor for their bravery during the battle, including Captain of the Top John F. Bickford, Boatswain's Mate William S. Bond, Captain of the Forecastle James Haley, Carpenter's Mate Mark G. Ham, Seaman George H. Harrison, Coxswain John Hayes, Seaman James H. Lee, Seaman Charles Moore, Seaman Joachim Pease, Boatswain's Mate Thomas Perry, Quartermaster William B. Poole, Coxswain Charles A. Read, Seaman George E. Read, Chief Quartermaster James Saunders, Quartermaster William Smith and Captain of the Top Robert Strahan.
Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient. He served in the Union Navy as a Paymaster's Steward on board the sloop-of-war "USS Kearsarge", having been recruited illegally in Queenstown, Ireland (recruitment on foreign soil was prohibited). He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery in action when the "Kearsarge" fought and destroyed the Confederate Navy commerce raider "CSS Alabama" off Cherbourg, France on June 19, 1864. His citation reads "Carrying out his duties courageously, PmS. Aheam exhibited marked coolness and good conduct and was highly recommended by his divisional officer for gallantry under enemy fire." His Medal was awarded to him on December 31, 1864. After the war and his discharge from the United States Navy, he disappeared into history, and his subsequent life and final disposition remain unknown. He was one of seventeen "Kearsarge" crewmen to be awarded the Medal of Honor for their bravery during the battle, including Captain of the Top John F. Bickford, Boatswain's Mate William S. Bond, Captain of the Forecastle James Haley, Carpenter's Mate Mark G. Ham, Seaman George H. Harrison, Coxswain John Hayes, Seaman James H. Lee, Seaman Charles Moore, Seaman Joachim Pease, Boatswain's Mate Thomas Perry, Quartermaster William B. Poole, Coxswain Charles A. Read, Seaman George E. Read, Chief Quartermaster James Saunders, Quartermaster William Smith and Captain of the Top Robert Strahan.
Bio by: Don Morfe
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