Thomas E. O'Shea (April 18, 1895 – September 29, 1918) was a

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corporal during

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

. He was killed by Germans while trying to rescue others near

Le Catelet Le Catelet () is a commune in the Aisne department in Hauts-de-France in northern France. Population See also *Communes of the Aisne department The following is a list of the 799 Communes of France, communes in the French Departments of F ...

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on September 29, 1918. He

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received the

Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the United States Armed Forces' highest military decoration and is awarded to recognize American soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, guardians and coast guardsmen who have distinguished themselves by acts of valor. ...

for his heroic actions. O'Shea was a resident of

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.Staff
"78 WIN AMERICA'S HIGHEST WAR HONOR; One for Every 15,400 Soldiers in Battle Gets Congressional Medal. 12 IN THIRTIETH DIVISION Southern Guard Organization Tops List--New York Leads Among States."
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'', August 13, 1919. Accessed February 18, 2011. O'Shea is buried in the

Somme American Cemetery and Memorial The Somme American Cemetery and Memorial in Picardie, France, is an American Battle Monuments Commission cemetery, situated ½ mile southwest of the commune of Bony, Aisne in northern France. It is located on a gentle slope typical of the ope ...

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, northern

Medal of Honor Citation

*Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Army, Machine Gun Company, 107th Infantry, 27th Division. *Place and date: Near Le Catelet,

, 29 September 1918. *Entered service at:

. *Birth:

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. *General Orders No.20. War Department, January 30, 1919. Citation: :

Becoming separated from their platoon by a smoke barrage, Cpl. O'Shea, with 2 other soldiers, took cover in a shell hole well within the enemy's lines. Upon hearing a call for help from an American tank, which had become disabled 30 yards from them, the 3 soldiers left their shelter and started toward the tank under heavy fire from German machineguns and trench mortars. In crossing the fire-swept area Cpl. O'Shea was mortally wounded and died of his wounds shortly afterwards.

Military Awards

O'Shea's military decorations and awards include:

References

Sources

: * {{DEFAULTSORT:Oshea, Thomas E. 1895 births 1918 deaths United States Army Medal of Honor recipients American military personnel killed in World War I People from Summit, New Jersey United States Army non-commissioned officers United States Army personnel of World War I World War I recipients of the Medal of Honor Recipients of the Distinguished Conduct Medal Military personnel from New York City Burials in Hauts-de-France