Thomas O'Connell

He left sick bay to feed the guns till shell took his hand!!

Thomas O'Connell was already in USS Hartford's sick bay when the Battle of Mobile Bay began on 5 August 1864. Rather than remain below, the coal heaver voluntarily reported to the shell whip, where ammunition had to be moved to the guns under heavy fire. He stayed at that station until a shell burst severed his right hand.

O'Connell was born in Ireland in 1842. During the Civil War he served in the United States Navy aboard Hartford, flagship of Rear Admiral David G. Farragut. The attack on Mobile Bay forced the Union fleet past Fort Morgan and into close combat with Confederate vessels.

O'Connell's Medal of Honor action began with his decision to leave the sick bay and report for combat duty. At the shell whip he continued working under fire until he was terribly wounded.

Medal of Honor Citation (condensed)

Though a patient in the sick bay, O'Connell voluntarily reported to the shell whip during the Battle of Mobile Bay and continued his dangerous duty until a shell burst severed his right hand.

O'Connell died on 29 August 1899 in Whitefield, Maine, and was buried in Resthaven Cemetery in Windsor, Maine. His qualifying naval service supports the Navy Civil War Campaign Medal. No service star or clasp was authorized.