| John Brosnan | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 1, 1846 |
| Died | August 7, 1921 (aged 75) |
| Place of birth | Ireland |
| Place of death | Brooklyn, New York |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America |
| Service/branch | U.S. Army |
| Years of service | 2 August 1862 to 7 February 1865 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit |
 Company E, 164th New York Infantry |
| Battles/wars | Second Battle of Petersburg |
| Awards |
 Medal of Honor |
Sergeant John Brosnan (July 1, 1846 to August 7, 1921[1]) was an Irish soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Brosnan received the United States' highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action during the Second Battle of Petersburg in Virginia on 17 July 1864. He was honored with the award on 18 January 1894.[1][2]
Biography[]
Brosnan was born in Ireland on 1 July 1846. He enlisted into the 164th New York Infantry as a private on 2 August 1862. The 164th, along with the 155th, 170th, 175th, and 182nd, made up a brigade of Irish soldiers referred to as Corcoran's Legion.[2] It was while he was a Sergeant in command of his company that he performed the act of gallantry that earned him the Medal of Honor. On the morning of 17 June 1864, Brosnan responded to the groans of a member of his company, Corporal Michael Carroll, who had been wounded by hidden rebels and lay exposed to heavy fire from the enemy. Under fire Brosnan carried out a successful attempt to rescue Corporal Carroll by lifting him on his arms and out of the line of fire. Brosnan, too, was wounded in this rescue, subsequently losing an arm.[3][4]
After the war, Brosnan resided in New York and died on 7 August 1921. His remains are interred at the Holy Cross Cemetery in Brooklyn.[3]
Medal of Honor citation[]
Rescued a wounded comrade who lay exposed to the enemy's fire, receiving a severe wound in the effort.[1][2]
See also[]
- List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: A–F
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Second Battle of Petersburg
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "John Brosnan". http://projects.militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/recipient.php?recipientid=1705. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Civil War (A-L) Medal of Honor Recipients". http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/civwaral.html. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Kerrymen’s 'Congressional Medal of Honor' Plaque: December 7th, 2011 7 pm in the Kerry Hall (By Invitation only)". 25 November 2011. https://sites.google.com/site/kerrymens/events/kerrymen%E2%80%99s%E2%80%98congressionalmedalofhonor%E2%80%99plaquedecember7th20117pminthekerryhallbyinvitationonly.
- ↑ "How He Lost an Arm and Won the Medal of Honor in the Civil War". http://www.raabcollection.com/autograph/signed-how-he-lost-arm-and-won-medal-honor-civil-war. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
The original article can be found at John Brosnan (soldier) and the edit history here.