Thomas E. O'Shea (April 18, 1895 – September 29, 1918) was a United States Army corporal during World War I. He was killed by Germans while trying to rescue others near Le Catelet, France on September 29, 1918. He posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions. O'Shea was a resident of Summit, New Jersey.Staff. "78 WIN AMERICA'S HIGHEST WAR HONOR; One for Every 15,400 Soldiers in Battle Gets Congressional Medal. 12 IN THIRTIETH DIVISION Southern Guard Organization Tops List--New York Leads Among States.", The New York Times, August 13, 1919. Accessed February 18, 2011.
O'Shea is buried in the Somme American Cemetery and Memorial in Picardy, northern France.
Medal of Honor Citation Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Army, Machine Gun Company, 107th Infantry, 27th Division. Place and date: Near Le Catelet, France, 29 September 1918. Entered service at: Summit, New Jersey. Birth: New York City, New York. General Orders No.20. War Department, January 30, 1919.
Citation: Becoming separated from their platoon by a smoke barrage, Cpl. O'Shea, with 2 other soldiers, took cover in a shell hole well within the enemy's lines. Upon hearing a call for help from an American tank, which had become disabled 30 yards from them, the 3 soldiers left their shelter and started toward the tank under heavy fire from German machineguns and trench mortars. In crossing the fire-swept area Cpl. O'Shea was mortally wounded and died of his wounds shortly afterwards.
Military awards O'Shea's military decorations and awards include:
1st rowMedal of HonorPurple HeartWorld War I Victory Medal w/three bronze service stars to denote credit for the Somme Offensive, Ypres-Lys and Defensive Sector battle clasps.2nd rowDistinguished Conduct Medal (Great Britain)Médaille militaire (French Republic)Croix de guerre 1914–1918 w/bronze palm (French Republic) 3rd rowCroce al Merito di Guerra (Italy)Medal for Military Bravery (Kingdom of Montenegro)Medalha da Cruz de Guerra, Third Class (Portuguese Republic)
See also
John Cridland Latham Alan Louis Eggers List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War I
References
Sources