Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Stories of Sacrifice
U.S. Civil War - U.S. Navy
Frank Bois
Details
- Rank: Quartermaster
- Conflict/Era: U.S. Civil War
- Unit/Command:
U.S.S. Cincinnati - Military Service Branch: U.S. Navy
- Medal of Honor Action Date: May 27, 1863
- Medal of Honor Action Place: Vicksburg, Mississippi, USA
Citation
Served as quartermaster on board the U.S.S. Cincinnati during the attack on the Vicksburg batteries and at the time of her sinking, 27 May 1863. Engaging the enemy in a fierce battle, the Cincinnati, amidst an incessant fire of shot and shell, continued to fire her guns to the last, though so penetrated by enemy shellfire that her fate was sealed. Conspicuously cool in making signals throughout the battle, Bois, after all the Cincinnati's staffs had been shot away, succeeded in nailing the flag to the stump of the forestaff to enable this proud ship to go down, "with her colors nailed to the mast."
Additional Details
- Accredited to: Northampton, Hampshire County, Massachusetts
- Awarded Posthumously: No
- Born: September 13, 1841, Canada
- Died: January 25, 1920, Seattle, WA, United States
- Buried: Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery (275-I3), Seattle, WA, United States