Thomas Robinson (Medal of Honor)

Thomas Robinson (May 17, 1837 – May 12, 1915) was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.

Thomas Robinson
Born(1837-05-17)May 17, 1837
Norway
DiedMay 12, 1915(1915-05-12) (aged 77)
Place of burial
Lakewood Cemetery, Minneapolis, Minnesota
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Navy
RankCaptain of the Afterguard
UnitUSS Tallapoosa
AwardsMedal of Honor

A native of Norway, Robinson immigrated to the United States and joined the Navy from the state of New York. By July 15, 1866, he was serving as captain of the afterguard on the USS Tallapoosa. On that day, while the Tallapoosa was off the coast of New Orleans, Louisiana, he attempted to rescue a shipmate, Landsman Wellington Brocar, from drowning. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor two weeks later, on August 1.[1]

Robinson's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

For heroic efforts to save from drowning Wellington Brocar, landsman, of the Tallapoosa, off New Orleans, 15 July 1866.[1]

Robinson died at age 77 and was buried at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota.[2]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Medal of Honor recipients - Interim Awards, 1866-1870". Medal of Honor citations. United States Army Center of Military History. August 3, 2009. Retrieved July 13, 2010.
  2. ^ "Thomas Robinson (1837 - 1915)". Find a Grave. September 27, 2003. Retrieved July 13, 2010.

External links edit