Serving as a Marine in the U.S. Marine Corps, Orderly Sergeant Christopher Nugent received the Medal of Honor for his actions on June 15, 1863 at Crystal River, Florida during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Fort Henry. Nugent was about 25 years old.
One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day.
Nugent was born in 1838 in County Cavan, Ireland — one of 258 recipients born in Ireland. His Medal of Honor is credited to Massachusetts. Nugent died on May 6, 1898, at the age of about 60. He is buried at St. Raymond's Cemetery in Bronx, New York.
Nugent is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 265 credited to Massachusetts.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Served on board the U.S.S. Fort Henry, Crystal River, Fla., 15 June 1863. Reconnoitering on the Crystal River on this date and in charge of a boat from the Fort Henry, Orderly Sgt. Nugent ordered an assault upon a rebel breastwork fortification. In this assault, the orderly sergeant and his comrades drove a guard of 11 rebels into the swamp, capturing their arms and destroying their camp equipage while gallantly withholding fire to prevent harm to a woman among the fugitives. On 30 July 1863, he further proved his courage by capturing a boat off Depot Key, Fla., containing two men and a woman with their baggage.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- 1838Born in County Cavan, Ireland
- June 15, 1863Act of valor — Crystal River, FloridaAge about 25. U.S.S. Fort Henry
- May 6, 1898DiedAge about 60.
- Resting placeSt. Raymond's CemeteryBronx, New York
