Thomas O’Connell
Born: 1842 at Ireland
Home Town: New York, New York
Status:
War Department, General Orders No. 45 (December 31, 1864)
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Coal Heaver Thomas O’Connell, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving on board the flagship U.S.S. Hartford, during successful attacks against Fort Morgan, rebel gunboats and the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay, Alabama, on 5 August 1864. Although a patient in the sick bay, Coal Heaver 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.