b. 1830 Ireland. d. 20/06/1870 Wilmington, Delaware.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 03/07/1863 Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
At the onset of the Civil War, McCarren enlisted in Company H of the Irish-American three-months regiment, the 24th Pennsylvania under Thomas Alfred Smyth. After this three month enlistment he joined the 1st Delaware Infantry.
In September 1861, McCarren was promoted to the rank of corporal. He fought in multiple battles including the Battle of Chantilly, Battle of Fredericksburg, and most notably, the Battle of Gettysburg where McCarren earned the Medal of Honor. On the third day of this battle, McCarren captured the colours of the 13th Alabama in a counterattack against Pickett’s Charge. He received his Medal on December 1, 1864. McCarren married Mary Ann Traynor in 1855 with whom he had two children. He died in 1870 of dysentery.
MOH CITATION:
Capture of flag.
BURIAL LOCATION: ALL SAINTS CEMETERY, WILMINGTON, DELAWARE.
OLD CATHEDRAL SECTION 20.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: NATIONAL ARCHIVES & RECORDS ADMINISTRATION, WASHINGTON DC.
