Return to Naval Historical
Center home page.
Return to Online
Library Listing
DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --
Signal Quartermaster Thomas English, USN, (Born 1819)
Thomas English was born in 1819 in New York, New York. He enlisted
from that state and served as a Signal Quartermaster on board
USS New Ironsides
during the American Civil War. He participated with that ship
in the attacks on Fort Fisher during 24-25 December 1864 and 13-15
January 1865. His conduct, while New Ironsides vigorously
shelled Fort Fisher, facilitated the land assault and subsequent
capture of the position. For his performance on that occasion,
English was awarded the Medal
of Honor.
This page features the only image we have concerning Thomas
English.
Click on the small photograph to prompt
a larger view of the same image.
Photo #: NH 105505
U.S. Navy Medal of Honor
Reverse of a Medal of Honor awarded to Signal Quartermaster Thomas
English, USN, who served in USS New Ironsides during the
assaults on Fort Fisher, North Carolina, 24-25 December 1864
and 13-15 January 1865.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 98KB; 580 x 765 pixels |
 |
Medal of Honor citation of Thomas English, USN (as printed
in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949,
The Navy", page 24):
"ENGLISH served on board the U.S.S. New Ironsides
during action in several attacks on Fort Fisher, 24 and 25 December
1864; and 13, 14, and 15 January 1865. The ship steamed in and
took the lead in the ironclad division close inshore and immediately
opened its starboard battery in a barrage of well-directed fire
to cause several fires and explosions and dismount several guns
during the first 2 days of fighting. Taken under fire as she
steamed into position on 13 January, the New Ironsides
fought all day and took on ammunition at night despite severe
weather conditions. When the enemy came out of his bombproofs
to defend the fort against the storming party, the ship's battery
disabled nearly every gun on the fort facing the shore before
the cease-fire orders were given by the flagship." |
Return to Naval
Historical Center home page.
Page made 30 January 2008
|