Thomas Plunkett

Thomas Plunkett (1841 - March 10, 1885) was a color bearer during the American Civil War. He carried the banner of the 21st Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry at the Battle of Fredericksburg when a cannon blast took away both of his arms and wounded him in the chest.[1] He pressed the flag against his chest with what remained of his arms and continued until one of the color guard took the flag from him so he could retire. Both of his arms were eventually amputated, and it would take another two years for him to recover. For his actions during the battle Plunkett received the Medal of Honor. Battery Plunkett, a battery of two 4-inch rapid firing guns at Fort Warren on Georges Island in Boston Harbor (MA), was completed in 1899 and named in his honor.

For the Irish British Army rifleman, see Thomas Plunket. For other people, see Thomas Plunkett (disambiguation).
Thomas Plunkett
Plunkett in 1865
Born1841 (1841)
County Mayo, Ireland
DiedMarch 10, 1885 (aged 43–44)
Worcester, Massachusetts
Place of burial
Hope Cemetery
Allegiance United States
Service/branchUnited States Army
Years of service1861 - 1864
Rank Sergeant
UnitCompany E, 21st Massachusetts Infantry
Battles/warsAmerican Civil War
AwardsMedal of Honor

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and Organization:

Sergeant, Company E, 21st Massachusetts Infantry. Place and date. At Fredericksburg, Va., 11 December 1862. Entered service at: West Boylston, Mass. Birth: Ireland. Date of issue: 30 March 1866.

Citation:

Seized the colors of his regiment, the color bearer having been shot down, and bore them to the front where both his arms were carried off by a shell.[2]

See also

Notes
  1. Walcott, 251.
  2. "PLUNKETT, THOMAS, Civil War Medal of Honor recipient". American Civil War website. 2007-11-08. Retrieved 2007-11-08.

References


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