Thomas Burke (Medal of Honor)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Burke was a United States Navy
sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor
.
A native of Ireland
, Burke immigrated to the U.S. and joined the Navy from the state of New York
. By May 10, 1866, he was serving as a seaman
on the . On that day, while the De Soto was off the coast of Eastport, Maine
, he and two shipmates rescued two sailors from the from drowning. For this action, he and his shipmates, Seaman Richard Bates
and Captain of the Afterguard John Brown, were awarded the Medal of Honor three months later, on August 1.
Burke's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
Burke died at age 65 or 66 and was buried at John Howard Cemetery on the grounds of St. Elizabeths Hospital
in Washington, D.C.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
.
A native of Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, Burke immigrated to the U.S. and joined the Navy from the state of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. By May 10, 1866, he was serving as a seaman
Seaman
Seaman is one of the lowest ranks in a Navy. In the Commonwealth it is the lowest rank in the Navy, followed by Able Seaman and Leading Seaman, and followed by the Petty Officer ranks....
on the . On that day, while the De Soto was off the coast of Eastport, Maine
Eastport, Maine
Eastport is a small city in Washington County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,640 at the 2000 census. The principal island is Moose Island, which is connected to the mainland by causeway...
, he and two shipmates rescued two sailors from the from drowning. For this action, he and his shipmates, Seaman Richard Bates
Richard Bates
-External links:...
and Captain of the Afterguard John Brown, were awarded the Medal of Honor three months later, on August 1.
Burke's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
For heroic conduct, with 2 comrades, in rescuing from drowning James Rose and John Russell, seamen, of the U.S.S. Winooski, off Eastport, Maine, 10 May 1866.
Burke died at age 65 or 66 and was buried at John Howard Cemetery on the grounds of St. Elizabeths Hospital
St. Elizabeths Hospital
St. Elizabeths Hospital is a psychiatric hospital operated by the District of Columbia Department of Mental Health. It was the first large-scale, federally-run psychiatric hospital in the United States. Housing several thousand patients at its peak, St. Elizabeths had a fully functioning...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients during peacetime