b. 1841 County Mayo, Ireland. d. 10/03/1885 Worcester, Massachusetts.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 11/12/1862 Fredericksburg, Virginia.
Thomas Plunkett MOH
He carried the banner of the 21st Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry at the Battle of Fredericksburg when a cannon blast took away both of his arms and wounded him in the chest. He pressed the flag against his chest with what remained of his arms and continued until one of the color guards took the flag from him so he could retire. His arms were eventually amputated, and he would take another two years to recover. Plunkett received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the battle. Battery Plunkett, a battery of two 4-inch rapid-firing guns at Fort Warren on Georges Island in Boston Harbor (MA), was completed in 1899 and named in his honor.
MOH CITATION:
Seized the colors of his regiment, the color bearer having been shot down, and bore them to the front where both his arms were carried off by a shell.
BURIAL LOCATION: HOPE CEMETERY, WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.
SECTION 43, LOT 2501.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.
