Landsman Henry Brutsche was a sailor in the U.S. Navy who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on May 23, 1863 in Plymouth, North Carolina during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Tacony. Brutsche was 16 years old.
One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day.
Brutsche was born on October 31, 1846 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. His Medal of Honor is credited to Pennsylvania. Brutsche died on December 27, 1880 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the age of 34. He is buried at Lawnview Cemetery in Rockledge, Pennsylvania. His medal is held by Naval Historical Center, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, DC.
Brutsche is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 380 credited to Pennsylvania.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Served on board the U.S.S. Tacony during the taking of Plymouth, N.C., 31 October 1864. Carrying out his duties faithfully during the capture of Plymouth, Brutsche distinguished himself by a display of coolness when he participated in landing and spiking a 9-inch gun while under a devastating fire from enemy musketry.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Pennsylvania →
Timeline
- October 31, 1846Born in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
- May 23, 1863Act of valor — Plymouth, North CarolinaAge 16. U.S.S. Tacony
- December 27, 1880Died in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaAge 34.
- Resting placeLawnview CemeteryRockledge, Pennsylvania
Biography
Landsman Henry Brutsche (c. 1846 – December 27, 1880) was a Union Navy sailor who fought in the American Civil War. Brutsche received the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action aboard the USS Tacony at Plymouth, North Carolina, on 31 October 1864. He was honored with the award on 31 December 1864.
From the Wikipedia article “Henry Brutsche”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
