Christopher Nugent (Medal of Honor)
Christopher Nugent | |
---|---|
Born | c. 1838 Orderly sergeant |
Unit | USS Fort Henry (1862) |
Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Awards | Medal of Honor |
Christopher Nugent (c. 1838 – May 6, 1898) was an orderly sergeant serving in the United States Marine Corps who received the United States military's highest decoration for bravery, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during the American Civil War.
Nugent was born in Ireland and after immigrating to the United States, joined the United States Marine Corps. He served on several vessels including the USS Fort Henry where he saw action during the American Civil War. It was while assigned to the Fort Henry that he became the third Marine to receive the Medal of Honor, for his actions, while in charge of a reconnoitering party in Florida, that forced an enemy group to retreat into a swamp. In addition to eliminating the enemy fortification they also captured weapons and destroyed equipment so it could no longer be used by the enemy.
Early life and military career
Nugent was born in about 1838 in
Serving on board the U.S.S. Fort Henry, Crystal River, Fla., 15 June 1863. Reconnoitering on the Crystal River on this date and in charge of a boat from the Fort Henry, Orderly Sgt. Nugent ordered an assault upon a rebel breastwork fortification. In this assault, the orderly sergeant and his comrades drove a guard of 11 rebels into the swamp, capturing their arms and destroying their camp equipage while gallantly withholding fire to prevent harm to a woman among the fugitives. On 30 July 1863, he further proved his courage by capturing a boat off Depot Key, Fla., containing 2 men and a woman with their baggage.[2]
Later life
Nugent was discharged from the Marine Corps on 9 October 1865, but the
See also
References
- ^ a b USMC History Division
- ^ a b c "Civil War (M-Z); Nugent, Christopher entry". Medal of Honor recipients. United States Army Center of Military History. July 28, 2010. Archived from the original on February 23, 2009. Retrieved August 12, 2010.
- Franklin Watts. p. 162.
- ^ "Fort Henry". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Department of the Navy, Naval History & Heritage Command. Retrieved August 12, 2010.
- ^ Marine Corps University
External links
- "Christopher Nugent". Hall of Valor. Military Times. Retrieved August 12, 2010.
- Robert Niepert. "Florida Reenactors Online news magazine". Retrieved August 12, 2010.