Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Private Thomas J. Ward received the Medal of Honor for his actions on May 22, 1863 in Vicksburg, Mississippi during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company C, 116th Illinois Infantry. Ward was 25 years old.
99 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on July 27, 1894, 31 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Sergeant Major.
Ward was born on August 18, 1837 in Romney, Hampshire County, West Virginia. His Medal of Honor is credited to Decatur, Macon County, Illinois. Ward died on March 30, 1924 in Anaconda, Montana, at the age of 86. He is buried at Upper Hill Cemetery in Anaconda, Montana.
Ward 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
Gallantry in the charge of the "volunteer storming party."
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Illinois →
Timeline
- August 18, 1837Born in Romney, Hampshire County, West Virginia
- May 22, 1863Act of valor — Vicksburg, MississippiAge 25. Company C, 116th Illinois Infantry
- July 27, 1894Medal of Honor presented
- March 30, 1924Died in Anaconda, MontanaAge 86.
- Resting placeUpper Hill CemeteryAnaconda, Montana
Biography
Thomas J. Ward (August 18, 1837 – March 30, 1924) was an American soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Ward received his country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor. Ward's medal was won for his heroism in the Siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi on May 22, 1863. He was honored with the award on July 31, 1896. Ward was born in Romney, West Virginia, and entered service in Decatur, Illinois. He died at his home in Anaconda, Montana on March 30, 1924, and was buried in Upper Hill Cemetery.
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