William Conway (United States Navy)

William Conway (c. 1802 – November 30, 1865) was a United States Navy sailor, born in Camden, Maine. He served in the Navy for forty (40) years.

In January 1861, he was serving as the quartermaster for Pensacola Navy Yard (also known as Warrington Navy Yard). On January 12, 1861, two men claiming to be commissioners of the state of Florida, along with a "large force of armed men", ordered the surrender of the Navy yard and its munitions. In spite of having a company of Marines and two ships-of-war under his command, the fort's captain surrendered. The fort's men were taken as prisoners. Confederate sympathizer Lieutenant Frederick B. Kinshaw ordered Conway to lower the American flag. Conway replied: "I have served under that flag for forty years, and I won't do it." For his refusal, Conway was arrested and clapped in irons. Shortly afterward, he was sent north, where he remained until his death at Brooklyn, New York. For his patriotic action, Conway was presented with a gold medal by citizens of California and a letter of commendation from the Secretary of the Navy.

Conway died on May 30, 1865 in Brooklyn, New York and was buried in the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

In August 1906, the Quartermaster William Conway Monument was unveiled at Camden, a granite boulder affixed with a commemorative bronze plaque "honoring his sturdy loyalty."