Thomas Joseph Kersey (August 1846 – April 16, 1888) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.
Thomas Joseph Kersey | |
|---|---|
.png) Navy Medal of Honor | |
| Born | August 1846 St. John's, Newfoundland |
| Died | April 16, 1888 (aged 41–42) Chelsea, Massachusetts, US |
| Place of burial | St. Mary's Cemetery, Newport, Rhode Island |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service |  United States Navy |
| Rank | Ordinary Seaman |
| Unit | USS Plymouth |
| Awards |  Medal of Honor |
Military service
editBorn in 1846 in St. John's, Newfoundland, Kersey immigrated to the United States and was living in Everett, Massachusetts, when he joined the Navy on October 19, 1870, for a 3-year enlistment.[1][2]
By July 26, 1876, he was serving as an ordinary seaman on the 14-gun screw sloop USS Plymouth. On that day, he rescued a crewmate from drowning at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor two weeks later, on August 9. Two other Plymouth sailors, Landsman William Corey and Seaman Charles Gidding, attempted to rescue a shipmate from drowning on the same day and also received the medal.[3]
He later served on the USS Wabash and the USS New Hampshire. He was married to Mary C. Egan.
Medal of Honor citation
editRank and organization: Ordinary Seaman, U.S. Navy. Born: 1847, St. John's, Newfoundland. Accredited to: Massachusetts. G.O. No.: 215, 9 August 1876.
Kersey's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
Serving on board the U.S.S. Plymouth at the Navy Yard, New York, 26 July 1876, Kersey displayed bravery and presence of mind in rescuing from drowning one of the crew of that vessel.[1]
Death and burial
editKersey was admitted to the Chelsea Naval Hospital on April 2, 1888, and died there of nephritis (kidney inflammation) on April 16, 1888, at age 41 years and 8 months. He was buried in St. Mary's Cemetery in Newport, Rhode Island.
See also
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References
edit- ^ a b "Medal of Honor recipients - Interim Awards, 1871–1898". Medal of Honor citations. United States Army Center of Military History. August 5, 2010. Retrieved August 12, 2010.
- ^ "Thomas Kersey". Hall of Valor. Military Times. Retrieved August 12, 2010.
- ^ Robeson, George M. (June 9, 1876). "General Order, No. 215". General Orders and Circulars Issued by the Navy Department (1863–1887). Washington, D.C.: United States Government Printing Office: 150. Retrieved August 12, 2010.