Henry A. Thompson
Encyclopedia
Henry A. Thompson was a U.S. Marine stationed aboard the during the American Civil War
. He received the Medal of Honor
for his actions during the Second Battle of Fort Fisher
on January 15, 1865.
, Thompson volunteered for service in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1863 and was assigned to the Union frigate . His enlistment is credited to the state of Pennsylvania
. Like many sailors of his day, Thompson used a pseudonym. His real name was Roderick P. Connelly.
On January 15, 1865 the North Carolina
Confederate stronghold of Fort Fisher was taken by a combined Union storming party of sailors, marines, and soldiers under the command of Admiral David Dixon Porter
and General Alfred Terry
. Thompson was one of nine crewmen from the USS Minnesota who received the Medal of Honor for their actions during the battle.
Thompson is buried in an unmarked grave in Calvary Cemetery in Woodside, New York.
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. He received the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for his actions during the Second Battle of Fort Fisher
Second Battle of Fort Fisher
The Second Battle of Fort Fisher was a joint assault by Union Army and naval forces against Fort Fisher, outside Wilmington, North Carolina, near the end of the American Civil War...
on January 15, 1865.
Military service
Emigrating from his native EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, Thompson volunteered for service in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1863 and was assigned to the Union frigate . His enlistment is credited to the state of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. Like many sailors of his day, Thompson used a pseudonym. His real name was Roderick P. Connelly.
On January 15, 1865 the North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
Confederate stronghold of Fort Fisher was taken by a combined Union storming party of sailors, marines, and soldiers under the command of Admiral David Dixon Porter
David Dixon Porter
David Dixon Porter was a member of one of the most distinguished families in the history of the United States Navy. Promoted as the second man to the rank of admiral, after his adoptive brother David G...
and General Alfred Terry
Alfred Terry
Alfred Howe Terry was a Union general in the American Civil War and the military commander of the Dakota Territory from 1866 to 1869 and again from 1872 to 1886.-Early life and career:...
. Thompson was one of nine crewmen from the USS Minnesota who received the Medal of Honor for their actions during the battle.
Thompson is buried in an unmarked grave in Calvary Cemetery in Woodside, New York.
Medal of Honor citation
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private Henry A. Thompson, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in action on board the U.S.S. Minnesota in the assault on Fort Fisher, 15 January 1865. Landing on the beach with the assaulting party from his ship, Private Thompson advanced to the top of the sand hill and partly through the breach in the palisades despite enemy fire which killed or wounded many officers and men. When more than two-thirds of the men became seized with panic and retreated on the run, he remained with the party until dark when it came safely away, bringing its wounded, its arms and its colors.