Thomas P. Gere
Encyclopedia
Thomas Parke Gere was a Union Army
officer who received the Medal of Honor
for his actions during the Battle of Nashville
in the American Civil War
.
. He enlisted in the 5th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment
at age 19, mustering in on January 17, 1862. He was promoted first sergeant
on March 5, 1862 and to second lieutenant
on March 24, 1862. He was later promoted to first lieutenant
and then became adjutant. He was awarded the Medal of Honor on February 24, 1865 for his actions at the Battle of Nashville
, Tennessee
, December 16, 1864. He mustered out on April 5, 1865.
He died January 8, 1912, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery
, Arlington, Virginia, where his grave can be found in section 1, lot 361, map grid M/N 35.
Citation:
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
officer who received 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...
for his actions during the Battle of Nashville
Battle of Nashville
The Battle of Nashville was a two-day battle in the Franklin-Nashville Campaign that represented the end of large-scale fighting in the Western Theater of the American Civil War. It was fought at Nashville, Tennessee, on December 15–16, 1864, between the Confederate Army of Tennessee under...
in the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
Biography
He was born December 10, 1842 in Wellsburg, New YorkWellsburg, New York
Wellsburg is a village in Chemung County, New York, United States. The population was 631 at the 2000 census. The village is named after a pioneer family....
. He enlisted in the 5th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment
5th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment
The 5th Minnesota Regiment Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army in the Western Theater of the American Civil War.-Service:...
at age 19, mustering in on January 17, 1862. He was promoted first sergeant
First Sergeant
First sergeant is the name of a military rank used in many countries, typically a senior non-commissioned officer.-Singapore:First Sergeant is a Specialist in the Singapore Armed Forces. First Sergeants are the most senior of the junior Specialists, ranking above Second Sergeants, and below Staff...
on March 5, 1862 and to second lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
on March 24, 1862. He was later promoted to first lieutenant
First Lieutenant
First lieutenant is a military rank and, in some forces, an appointment.The rank of lieutenant has different meanings in different military formations , but the majority of cases it is common for it to be sub-divided into a senior and junior rank...
and then became adjutant. He was awarded the Medal of Honor on February 24, 1865 for his actions at the Battle of Nashville
Battle of Nashville
The Battle of Nashville was a two-day battle in the Franklin-Nashville Campaign that represented the end of large-scale fighting in the Western Theater of the American Civil War. It was fought at Nashville, Tennessee, on December 15–16, 1864, between the Confederate Army of Tennessee under...
, Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
, December 16, 1864. He mustered out on April 5, 1865.
He died January 8, 1912, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
, Arlington, Virginia, where his grave can be found in section 1, lot 361, map grid M/N 35.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant and Adjutant, 5th Minnesota Infantry. Place and date: At Nashville, Tenn., 16 December 1864. Entered service at: ------. Birth: Chemung County, N.Y. Date of issue: 24 February 1865.Citation:
Capture of flag of 4th Mississippi (C.S.A.).