Quartermaster Frank Bois was a sailor in the U.S. Navy who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on May 27, 1863 in Vicksburg, Mississippi during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Cincinnati. Bois was 21 years old.
9 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day.
Bois was born on September 13, 1841 in Canada — one of 60 recipients born in Canada. His Medal of Honor is credited to Northampton, Hampshire County, Massachusetts. Bois died on January 25, 1920 in Seattle, Washington, at the age of 78. He is buried at Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery in Seattle, Washington.
Bois 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 as quartermaster on board the U.S.S. Cincinnati during the attack on the Vicksburg batteries and at the time of her sinking, 27 May 1863. Engaging the enemy in a fierce battle, the Cincinnati, amidst an incessant fire of shot and shell, continued to fire her guns to the last, though so penetrated by enemy shellfire that her fate was sealed. Conspicuously cool in making signals throughout the battle, Bois, after all the Cincinnati's staffs had been shot away, succeeded in nailing the flag to the stump of the forestaff to enable this proud ship to go down, "with her colors nailed to the mast."
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Massachusetts →
Timeline
- September 13, 1841Born in Canada
- May 27, 1863Act of valor — Vicksburg, MississippiAge 21. U.S.S. Cincinnati
- January 25, 1920Died in Seattle, WashingtonAge 78.
- Resting placeGrand Army of the Republic CemeterySeattle, Washington
Biography
Frank Bois (or Boise) (September 13, 1841 – January 25, 1920) was a Canadian sailor who fought in the American Civil War. He received the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during the Siege of Vicksburg on May 27, 1863, while serving as Quartermaster aboard the USS Cincinnati. Bois initially joined the 10th Massachusetts Infantry from Northampton, Massachusetts, in June 1861. He was transferred to the US Navy in September 1862, and discharged a year later. Bois died on January 25, 1920, and is buried in Seattle, Washington.
From the Wikipedia article “Frank Bois”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
