Thomas Smith (Medal of Honor, 1878)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Smith was a United States Navy
sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor
.
Born in 1856 in Ireland
, Smith immigrated to the United States and joined the Navy from Virginia
. By October 1, 1878, he was serving as a seaman
on the . On that day, while Enterprise was off the coast of Pará
, Brazil
, he rescued Coxswain William Kent from drowning. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.
Smith's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
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...
.
Born in 1856 in 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...
, Smith immigrated to the United States and joined the Navy from Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. By October 1, 1878, 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 Enterprise was off the coast of Pará
Pará
Pará is a state in the north of Brazil. It borders the Brazilian states of Amapá, Maranhão, Tocantins, Mato Grosso, Amazonas and Roraima. To the northwest it also borders Guyana and Suriname, and to the northeast it borders the Atlantic Ocean. The capital is Belém.Pará is the most populous state...
, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, he rescued Coxswain William Kent from drowning. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.
Smith's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
For rescuing from drowning William Kent, coxswain of the U.S.S. Enterprise, off Para, Brazil, 1 October 1878.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients during peacetime