Corporal Andrew J. Tomlin

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Corporal Andrew J. Tomlin, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in action as corporal of the guard on board the U.S.S. Wabash during the assault on Fort Fisher, on 15 January 1865. As one of 200 Marines assembled to hold a line of entrenchments in the rear of the fort which the enemy threatened to attack in force following a retreat in panic by more than two-thirds of the assaulting ground forces, Corporal Tomlin took position in line and remained until morning when relief troops arrived from the fort. When one of his comrades was struck down by enemy fire, he unhesitatingly advanced under a withering fire of musketry into an open plain close to the fort and assisted the wounded man to a place of safety.

General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 59 (June 22, 1865)

Action Date: January 15, 1865

Service: Marine Corps

Rank: Corporal

Division: U.S.S. Wabash