Thomas N. Graham

He seized the colors and planted them on rebel earthworks!

Second Lieutenant Thomas N. Graham saw the colors of the 15th Indiana Infantry go down during the assault on Missionary Ridge on 25 November 1863. He seized the flag from the wounded bearer, carried it through severe fire, and planted it on the Confederate breastworks.

Graham was born on 16 September 1837 in Indiana. During the Civil War he served in Company G, 15th Indiana Infantry. The source export lists him as Captain, while the Congressional Medal of Honor Society records his rank at the time of the Medal of Honor action as Second Lieutenant.

At Missionary Ridge the Union attack developed into a powerful advance up the slope against prepared Confederate positions. Graham took up the regimental colors when their bearer was wounded and carried them to the enemy line.

Medal of Honor Citation (condensed)

At Missionary Ridge on 25 November 1863, Graham seized his regiment's colors from a wounded bearer, carried them forward under severe fire, and planted them on the Confederate breastworks.

The Medal of Honor was presented on 15 February 1897. Graham died on 4 February 1911 in Lawrence, Kansas, and was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery there. His Army service supports the Civil War Campaign Medal, with no additional ribbon device.