Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Stories of Sacrifice
U.S. Civil War - U.S. Navy
Thomas O'Connell
Details
- Rank: Coal Heaver
- Conflict/Era: U.S. Civil War
- Unit/Command:
U.S.S. Hartford - Military Service Branch: U.S. Navy
- Medal of Honor Action Date: August 5, 1864
- Medal of Honor Action Place: Mobile Bay, Alabama, USA
Citation
On board the flagship U.S.S. Hartford, during successful attacks against Fort Morgan, rebel gunboats, and the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864. Although a patient in the sick bay, O'Connell voluntarily reported at his station at the shell whip and continued to perform his duties with zeal and courage until his right hand was severed by an enemy shellburst.
Additional Details
- Accredited to: New York, New York
- Awarded Posthumously: No
- Born: 1842, Ireland
- Died: August 29, 1899, Whitefield, ME, United States
- Buried: Resthaven Cemetery, Windsor, ME, United States