Corporal Eugene M. Tinkham, a soldier in the U.S. Army, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on June 3, 1864 at Cold Harbor, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company H, 148th New York Infantry. Tinkham was 22 years old.
5 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on April 5, 1898, 33 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Sergeant.
Tinkham was born on April 19, 1842 in Sprague, New London County, Connecticut. His Medal of Honor is credited to Waterloo, Seneca County, New York. Tinkham died on October 2, 1909 in Springfield, Massachusetts, at the age of 67. He is buried at New Hanover Cemetery in Hanover, Connecticut.
Tinkham is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 678 credited to New York.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Though himself wounded, voluntarily left the rifle pits, crept out between the lines and, exposed to the severe fire of the enemy's guns at close-range, brought within the lines two wounded and helpless comrades.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and injuries
What the citation records about his wounds:
Though himself wounded, voluntarily left the rifle pits, crept out between the lines and, exposed to the severe fire of the enemy's guns at close-range, brought within the lines two wounded and helpless comrades.
- Age at death: 67
- Resting place: New Hanover Cemetery
Timeline
- April 19, 1842Born in Sprague, New London County, Connecticut
- June 3, 1864Act of valor — Cold Harbor, VirginiaAge 22. Company H, 148th New York Infantry
- April 5, 1898Medal of Honor presented
- October 2, 1909Died in Springfield, MassachusettsAge 67.
- Resting placeNew Hanover CemeteryHanover, Connecticut
Further reading
- Eugene M. Tinkham: Rescued Two Wounded Under Firecmohs.org · 2024
