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★Victoria Cross

A comprehensive archive of decorated military heroes from Commonwealth, American, and allied traditions, ranked by the Unified Scoring Matrix (USM-25). Honouring valour through history.

USM-25.2Scoring Standard

Scored under the Unified Scoring Matrix (USM-25)

Charles M. Thatcher — Victoria Cross

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Service Profile

Branch: U.S. Army
Rank: Private
Service Era: Battle of the Crater, American Civil War
Medals Recorded: 2

Charles M. Thatcher

Private, U.S. Army

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Battle of the CraterAmerican Civil War

Awards & Decorations

Medal of Honor 1896–1903 Army
Civil War Campaign Medal 1862–1895 Army

Ribbon Rack

Biography

When the Union works around him were overrun at Petersburg, Private Charles M. Thatcher neither retreated nor surrendered. He kept firing until he was captured.

Charles M. Thatcher was born in 1844 at Coldwater, Michigan. During the service relevant to this record, he served as Private with Company B, 1st Michigan Sharpshooters.

On July 30, 1864, at Petersburg, Virginia, Thatcher's Medal of Honor recognized his decision to remain at his position and continue returning enemy fire after the works had fallen.

Medal of Honor Citation (condensed)

Continued to return enemy fire after the works were captured, refusing to retreat or surrender until he was taken prisoner.

Thatcher received the Medal of Honor on July 31, 1896. He died on December 13, 1900, and was buried in Evergreen Cemetery at Kalkaska, Michigan.

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