Thomas Sullivan (1890) MOH

b. 20/04/1859 County Meath, Ireland. d. 10/01/1940 New York.

DATE OF MOH ACTION: 29/12/1890 Wounded Knee, South Dakota.

Thomas Sullivan was born in County Meath, Ireland, most likely to either Patrick Sullivan and Bridget Conolly, or Richard Sullivan and Mary McCann, based on available baptism records. At age 28 he immigrated to the US and enlisted in the US Army at 28 years and five months age. His listed occupation on his enlistment documentation was a “labourer”.

Sullivan was immediately assigned to Troop E 7th Cavalry and served four total enlistments with the unit. Afterward, for his fifth enlistment, he transferred to Troop H 2d Cavalry. There he served as quartermaster sergeant. Sullivan would go on to serve in both Cuba and the Philippines as part of the Spanish–American War before retiring from Ft. Bliss as a First Sergeant with 23 years total in the Army.

Following his retirement Sullivan returned to New Jersey, married a woman named Ellen, another naturalized Irish immigrant, and worked intermittently as a watchman, guard, and policeman. He died in 1940.

 

MOH CITATION:

Conspicuous bravery in action against Indians concealed in a ravine.

 

BURIAL LOCATION: HOLY SEPULCHRE CEMETERY, EAST ORANGE, NEW YORK.

SECTION 3, TIER O, GRAVE 14.

LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.