b. 18/11/1844 Brooklyn, New York. d. 29/07/1920 Hampton, Virginia.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 01/01/1865 Dutch Gap Canal, Virginia.
Walter Thorn MOH
After completing his education, Thorn enlisted for the Civil War and served in the 13th New York Volunteer Infantry and 52nd New York Volunteer Infantry before receiving a commission as a 2nd lieutenant in the 116th Infantry, United States Colored Troops.
Thorn received a medal for hand-to-hand combat in which he captured a Confederate officer, an action that was personally witnessed by General Ulysses S. Grant. He attained the rank of major before his discharge at the end of the war.
Aside from the Medal of Honor awarded to him in 1898 for his deeds at Petersburg, Thorn was awarded the Brooklyn War Fund Committee Medal of Honor in 1872 “for especial acts of bravery at Ferrows Island and Petersburg, Va”. He also received the Brooklyn War Service Medal in 1866.
MOH CITATION:
After the fuse to the mined bulkhead had been lit, this officer, learning that the picket guard had not been withdrawn, mounted the bulkhead and at great personal peril warned the guard of its danger.
BURIAL LOCATION: ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA.
SECTION 2, GRAVE 3689-WH.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: AMERICAN NUMISMATIC SOCIETY, NEW YORK.
