Thomas Plunkett

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For the Irish British Army rifleman, see Thomas Plunket.

Private Thomas Plunkett
1841 – March 10, 1885
Medal of Honor recipient
Place of birth	Ireland
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army
Rank	Sergeant
Unit	Company E, 21st Massachusetts Infantry
Battles/wars	American Civil War
Awards	Medal of Honor

Private Thomas Plunkett was a color bearer during the American Civil War. He carried the banner of his regiment at the Battle of Fredericksburg when a cannon blast took away both of his hands. He pressed the flag against his chest with his wrists and continued until one of the color guard took the flag from him so he could retire. For his actions during the battle Plunkett was awarded the Medal of Honor.

1 Medal of Honor citation
2 See also
3 Notes
4 References

[edit] Medal of Honor citation

Rank and Organization:

Sergeant, Company E, 21st Massachusetts Infantry. Place and date. At Fredericksburg, Va., 11 December 1862. Entered service at: West Boylston, Mass. Birth: Ireland. Date of issue: 30 March 1866.

Citation:

Seized the colors of his regiment, the color bearer having been shot down, and bore them to the front where both his arms were carried off by a shell.^[1]