Thomas Kersey
Encyclopedia
Thomas Joseph Kersey was a United States Navy
sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor
.
, when he joined the Navy. By July 26, 1876, he was serving as an ordinary seaman on the . On that day, he rescued a crewmate from drowning at the Brooklyn Navy Yard
. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor two weeks later, on August 9. Two other Plymouth sailors, Landsman William Corey
and Seaman Charles Gidding
, attempted to rescue a shipmate from drowning on the same day and also received the medal.
Kersey's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
Kersey died on April 16, 1888, at age 40 or 41 and was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett.
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...
.
Biography
Born in 1847 in St. John's, Newfoundland, Kersey immigrated to the United States and was living in Everett, MassachusettsEverett, Massachusetts
Everett is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, near Boston. The population was 41,667 at the 2010 census.Everett is the last city in the United States with a bicameral legislature, which is composed of a seven-member Board of Aldermen and an 18-member Common Council...
, when he joined the Navy. By July 26, 1876, he was serving as an ordinary seaman on the . On that day, he rescued a crewmate from drowning at the Brooklyn Navy Yard
Brooklyn Navy Yard
The United States Navy Yard, New York–better known as the Brooklyn Navy Yard or the New York Naval Shipyard –was an American shipyard located in Brooklyn, northeast of the Battery on the East River in Wallabout Basin, a semicircular bend of the river across from Corlear's Hook in Manhattan...
. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor two weeks later, on August 9. Two other Plymouth sailors, Landsman William Corey
William Corey
-External links:...
and Seaman Charles Gidding
Charles Gidding
-External links:...
, attempted to rescue a shipmate from drowning on the same day and also received the medal.
Kersey's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
Serving on board the U.S.S. Plymouth at the Navy Yard, New York, 26 July 1876, Kersey displayed bravery and presence of mind in rescuing from drowning one of the crew of that vessel.
Kersey died on April 16, 1888, at age 40 or 41 and was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients during peacetime