Serving as a sailor in the U.S. Navy, Seaman Thomas Smith received the Medal of Honor for his actions on October 1, 1878 off Para, Brazil — a peacetime act of courage recognized in the Interim 1871 - 1899 period. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Enterprise. Smith was about 22 years old.
One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on October 29, 1878 — presented at muster on board the USS Enterprise by Commander Thomas Selfridge.
Smith was born in 1856 in Ireland — one of 258 recipients born in Ireland. His Medal of Honor is credited to Virginia.
Official Medal of Honor citation
For rescuing from drowning William Kent, coxswain of the U.S.S. Enterprise, off Para, Brazil, 1 October 1878.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Places
- Born: Ireland — map
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Timeline
- 1856Born in Ireland
- October 1, 1878Act of valor — off Para, BrazilAge about 22. U.S.S. Enterprise
- October 29, 1878Medal of Honor presentedPresented at muster on board the USS Enterprise by Commander Thomas Selfridge.
Biography
Thomas Smith (born 1856, date of death unknown) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor. Born in 1856 in Ireland, Smith emigrated to the United States and joined the Navy from Virginia. By October 1, 1878, he was serving as a seaman on the USS Enterprise. On that day, while Enterprise was off the coast of Pará, Brazil, he rescued Coxswain William Kent from drowning. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. Smith's official Medal of Honor citation reads: For rescuing from drowning William Kent, coxswain of the U.S.S. Enterprise, off Para, Brazil, 1 October 1878.
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