b. 1844 Rochester, New York. d. 20/07/1877 Rochester, New York.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 05/05/1864 Red River, Louisiana.
Born in 1844 in Rochester, New York, O’Donoghue joined the Navy in August 1863. He served as a seaman and boatswain’s mate on the USS Signal. On May 5, 1864, during an engagement with Confederates on the Red River in Louisiana, Signal took heavy fire and was disabled. Although wounded early in the battle, O’Donoghue remained at his post as gun captain until being ordered to withdraw. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor seven months later, on December 31, 1864. O’Donoghue left the Navy in March 1865, but served again from May 1867 until May 1870. In recent research, it is now believed that he was the brother of Patrick Donohue VC, meaning they are the only pair of brothers to have been awarded the US and UK highest award for gallantry.
MOH CITATION:
Served as boatswain’s mate on board the U.S.S. Signal, Red River, 5 May 1864. Proceeding up the Red River, the U.S.S. Signal engaged a large force of enemy field batteries and sharpshooters, returning the fire until the ship was totally disabled, at which time the white flag was raised. Serving as gun captain, wounded early in the battle, O’Donoghue bravely stood by his gun in the face of enemy fire until ordered to withdraw.
BURIAL LOCATION: HOLY SEPULCHRE CEMETERY, ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.
DIVISION 1, SECTION L, G.A.R. PLOT, TIER 2, GRAVE 27.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: BELIEVED TO BE FAMILY.
