Thomas Harcourt (Medal Of Honor)
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Thomas Harcourt (c. 1841 – Unknown) was a U.S. sailor 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.


Military service

Harcourt enlisted in the Army from Haverhill, New Hampshire in 1863, but transferred to the Navy in April 1864 and was assigned to the Union frigate . He later deserted in April 1865. 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 David Dixon Porter (June 8, 1813 – February 13, 1891) was a United States Navy admiral and a member of one of the most distinguished families in the history of the U.S. Navy. Promoted as the second U.S. Navy officer ever to attain the rank o ...
and General Alfred Terry. Harcourt was one of nine crewmen from the USS ''Minnesota'' who received the Medal of Honor for their actions during the battle.


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 Ordinary Seaman Thomas Harcourt, United States Navy, 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, Ordinary Seaman Harcourt 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." General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 59 (June 22, 1865) Action Date: January 15, 1865 Service: Navy Rank: Ordinary Seaman Division: U.S.S. ''Minnesota''


See also

*
List of Medal of Honor recipients The Medal of Honor was created during the American Civil War and is the highest military decoration presented by the United States government to a member of its armed forces. The recipient must have distinguished themselves at the risk of their ...
* List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: G–L * Second Battle of Fort Fisher *


Notes


References

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External links

* 1840s births Year of death missing Military personnel from Boston People of Massachusetts in the American Civil War Union Navy sailors United States Navy Medal of Honor recipients American Civil War recipients of the Medal of Honor {{AmericanCivilWar-bio-stub