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Photo # NH 105664:  Medal of Honor awarded to Thomas Harcourt

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Ordinary Seaman Thomas Harcourt, USN, (Born in 1841)

Thomas Harcourt was born in 1841 in Boston, Massachusetts. He enlisted in the Navy from that state and served as an Ordinary Seaman on board USS Minnesota during the American Civil War. On 15 January 1865, during the assault on Fort Fisher, North Carolina, Harcourt advanced nearly into the fort, remaining there despite the retreat of most of the men with him. He waited there with the remainder of the assault party until nightfall allowed it to withdraw with its wounded, weapons and colors. Harcourt was awarded the Medal of Honor for his conduct in that action.

This page features the only image we have concerning Thomas Harcourt.


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Photo #: NH 105664

Medal of Honor


Reverse of a Medal of Honor awarded to Ordinary Seaman Thomas Harcourt, USN, of USS Minnesota who served during the assaults on Fort Fisher, North Carolina, 15 January 1865.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 77KB; 490 x 765 pixels

 



Medal of Honor citation of Ordinary Seaman Thomas Harcourt (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 28):

"On board the U.S.S. Minnesota in action during the assault on Fort Fisher, 15 January 1865. Landing on the beach with the assaulting party from his ship, HARCOURT advanced to the top of the sandhill and partly through the breach in the palisades despite enemy fire which killed and 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."


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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Page made 3 April 2008