b. 01/07/1846 Castleisland, County Kerry, Ireland. d. 07/08/1921 Brooklyn, New York.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 17/07/1864 Petersburg, Virginia.
John Brosnan MOH
Brosnan was born in Ireland on 1 July 1846. He enlisted in the 164th New York Infantry as a private on 2 August 1862. The 164th, along with the 155th New York Infantry, 170th New York Infantry, 175th New York Infantry, and 182nd New York Infantry, made up a brigade of Irish soldiers referred to as Corcoran’s Legion. It was while he was a Sergeant in command of his company that he performed the act of gallantry that earned him the Medal of Honor. On the morning of 17 June 1864, Brosnan responded to the groans of a member of his company, Corporal Michael Carroll, who had been wounded by hidden rebels and lay exposed to heavy fire from the enemy. Under fire Brosnan carried out a successful attempt to rescue Corporal Carroll by lifting him on his arms and out of the line of fire. Brosnan, too, was wounded in this rescue, subsequently losing an arm. He was discharged as a result of his wounds in February 1865. He didnt receive the Medal of Honor until 18 January 1894, nearly 30 years later.
MOH CITATION:
Rescued a wounded comrade who lay exposed to the enemy’s fire, receiving a severe wound in the effort.
BURIAL LOCATION: HOLY CROSS CEMETERY, BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.
SECTION ST. THERESA, RANGE 9, PLOT 18, 2nd North Grave.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: FAMILY.
