Thomas Barton (Medal of Honor)

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Thomas Barton
US Navy Medal of Honor (1862 original).png
The US Navy Medal of Honor as would have been awarded to Seaman Barton in 1863 [1]
Bornc. 1831
Cleveland, Ohio
AllegianceFlag of the United States.svg  United States
Service/branchFlag of the United States Navy (official).svg  United States Navy
Years of service1861 - 1882
Rank Seaman
Acting Master's Mate
Boatswain
Unit USS Roanoke (1855)
USS Hunchback
USS Henry Brinker (1861)
USS Commodore Perry
USRC Levi Woodbury
USS Tennessee (1865)
USS Saratoga (1842)
USS Constellation
USS Pawnee (1859)
USS New Hampshire (1864)
USS Wyoming (1859)
Battles/wars American Civil War
  Joint Expedition Against Franklin
AwardsMedal of Honor ribbon.svg Medal of Honor

Thomas C. Barton (born c. 1831 in Cleveland, Ohio) was an American seaman who served in the Union Navy during the American Civil War. Barton enlisted in the Navy in June 1861, and resigned in April 1864. [2]

While serving aboard the USS Hunchback during the Joint Expedition Against Franklin, Barton extinguished an ignited howitzer shell which had fallen onto the deck. For this action, Barton was promoted to acting master's mate [3] and awarded the Medal of Honor on 3 April 1863; [4] the citation for the latter read: [5]

On board the U.S.S. Hunchback in the attack on Franklin, Va., 3 October 1862. When an ignited shell, with cartridge attached, fell out of the howitzer upon the deck, S/man Barton promptly seized a pail of water and threw it upon the missile, thereby preventing it from exploding.

See also

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References

  1. Lossing, Benson John (1868). "Medals of Honor Bestowed". Pictorial History of the Civil War in the United States of America. Vol. II. Hartford: T. Belknap. p. 175. Retrieved 2011-01-06.
  2. "Lost to History » Medal of Honor Historical Society of the United States".
  3. "Roll of Honor". Record of Medals of Honor Issued to the Bluejackets and Marines of the United States Navy 18621910. Washington, D.C., United States: United States Navy Bureau of Navigation. 1910. p. 8. Retrieved 2011-01-05. Seaman on board of the U.S.S. Commodore Perry, in the attack upon Franklin, Va., October 3, 1862; distinguished for his gallant conduct. Promoted to acting master's mate.
  4. Zabecki, David T. (1997). "The Civil War". American Artillery and the Medal of Honor (2 ed.). United States: Merriam Press. p. 22. ISBN   978-1-57638-035-2 . Retrieved 2011-01-05.
  5. "Medal of Honor Recipients: Civil War (AL)". Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C., United States: United States Army Center of Military History. Archived from the original on 2010-12-27. Retrieved 2011-01-05.