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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Seaman · U.S. Navy

Martin McHugh

Seaman Martin McHugh, Navy, received the Medal of Honor for actions on May 27, 1863 in Vicksburg, Mississippi during the Civil War.

U.S. Civil War May 27, 1863

Serving as a sailor in the U.S. Navy, Seaman Martin McHugh 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. McHugh was about 26 years old.

9 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day.

McHugh was born in 1837 in Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio. His Medal of Honor is credited to Ohio. McHugh died on February 23, 1905 in Danville, Illinois, at the age of about 68. He is buried at Resurrection Cemetery in Danville, Illinois. Records also list him as McCue, Martin.

McHugh is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 256 credited to Ohio.

Official Medal of Honor citation

Served 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 shellfire that her fate was sealed. Serving bravely during this action, McHugh was conspicuously cool under the fire of the enemy, never ceasing to fire until this proud ship went down, "her colors nailed to the mast."

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Timeline

  1. 1837
    Born in Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio
  2. May 27, 1863
    Act of valor — Vicksburg, Mississippi
    Age about 26. U.S.S. Cincinnati
  3. February 23, 1905
    Died in Danville, Illinois
    Age about 68.
  4. Resting place
    Resurrection Cemetery
    Danville, Illinois

Also honored for actions on May 27, 1863

FB Frank Bois Quartermaster · Navy Civil War · 1863 Thomas E. Corcoran Landsman · Navy Civil War · 1863 FD Frederick Nelson Deland Private · Army Civil War · 1863 HD Henry Dow Boatswain's Mate · Navy Civil War · 1863 TH Thomas W. Hamilton Quartermaster · Navy Civil War · 1863 TJ Thomas Jenkins Seaman · Navy Civil War · 1863 HJ Henry T. Johns Private · Army Civil War · 1863 JS James N. Strong Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1863 Francis Emroy Warren Corporal · Army Civil War · 1863

More Civil War recipients from Ohio

Henry Blanchard Freeman First Lieutenant · Army Civil War · 1862 JS John Whedon Steele Major & Aide-de-Camp · Army Civil War · 1864 Robert Buffum Private · Army Civil War · 1862 JH James Haley Captain of the Forecastle · Navy Civil War · 1864 George D. Wilson Private · Army Civil War · 1862 ✦ DH Daniel Irving Holcomb Private · Army Civil War · 1864
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.