Veteran in crisis? Dial 988 then press 1 · Text 838255 Next observance: Navy Birthday · October 13
Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

First Lieutenant · U.S. Army

Menomen O'Donnell

First Lieutenant Menomen O'Donnell, Army, received the Medal of Honor for actions on March 14, 1864 at Vicksburg & Fort DeRussey, Mississippi & Louisiana during the Civil War.

U.S. Civil War March 14, 1864Born in Ireland

Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, First Lieutenant Menomen O'Donnell received the Medal of Honor for his actions on March 14, 1864 at Vicksburg & Fort DeRussey, Mississippi & Louisiana during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company A, 11th Missouri Infantry. O'Donnell was 33 years old.

The medal was presented on September 11, 1897, 33 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Captain.

O'Donnell was born on April 20, 1830 in Drumbarty, Ireland — one of 258 recipients born in Ireland. His Medal of Honor is credited to Sumner, Lawrence County, Illinois. O'Donnell died on September 3, 1911 in Vincennes, Indiana, at the age of 81. He is buried at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Vincennes, Indiana.

O'Donnell is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 210 credited to Illinois.

Official Medal of Honor citation

Voluntarily joined the color guard in the assault on the enemy's works when he saw indications of wavering and caused the colors of his regiment to be planted on the parapet. Voluntarily placed himself in the ranks of an assaulting column (being then on staff duty) and rode with it into the enemy's works, being the only mounted officer present; was twice wounded in battle.

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

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: American Civil War.

Places

  • Born: County Donegal — map
  • Died: Vincennes — map
  • Buried: Mount Calvary Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Illinois →

Timeline

  1. April 20, 1830
    Born in Drumbarty, Ireland
  2. March 14, 1864
    Act of valor — Vicksburg & Fort DeRussey, Mississippi & Louisiana
    Age 33. Company A, 11th Missouri Infantry
  3. September 11, 1897
    Medal of Honor presented
  4. September 3, 1911
    Died in Vincennes, Indiana
    Age 81.
  5. Resting place
    Mount Calvary Cemetery
    Vincennes, Indiana

Biography

Menomen O'Donnell (April 20, 1830 – September 3, 1911) was an Irish American soldier and member of the 11th Missouri Volunteer Infantry who fought in the American Civil War and was awarded the Medal of Honor for placing his division's flag on the ramparts of an enemy fort during a battle in which he was injured twice.

From the Wikipedia article “Menomen O'Donnell”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Same unit

GW George W. Welch Private · Army Civil War · 1864

More Civil War recipients from Illinois

JH James Henry Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1863 Nineveh S. McKeen First Lieutenant · Army Civil War · 1863 George Henry Stockman First Lieutenant · Army Civil War · 1863 WS William G. Stephens Private · Army Civil War · 1863 JL James W. Larrabee Corporal · Army Civil War · 1863 WM Wilbur F. Moore Private · Army Civil War · 1864
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.