Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Private Thomas Riley received the Medal of Honor for his actions on April 4, 1865 at Fort Blakely, Alabama during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company D, 1st Louisiana Cavalry. Riley was about 28 years old.
One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on June 8, 1865. He later rose to the rank of Corporal.
Riley was born in 1837 in Ireland — one of 258 recipients born in Ireland. His Medal of Honor is credited to New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana.
Riley is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 24 credited to Louisiana.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Captured the flag of the 6th Alabama Cavalry (C.S.A.).
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- 1837Born in Ireland
- April 4, 1865Act of valor — Fort Blakely, AlabamaAge about 28. Company D, 1st Louisiana Cavalry
- June 8, 1865Medal of Honor presented
Biography
Thomas Riley was an Irish-born Corporal in the United States Army who earned the Medal of Honor for gallantry during the American Civil War. On 4 April 1865, Riley captured the flag of the 6th Alabama Cavalry. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor on 8 June 1865.
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