Died November 14, 1926 Name Thomas Kerr Rank Captain | Years of service 1862 - 1865 | |
Buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia Allegiance United States of America | ||
Service/branch United States Army | ||
Thomas R. Kerr (April 24, 1843 - November 14, 1926) was an American soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Kerr received his country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor. Kerr's medal was won for his capturing the flag of the Confederate 8th Virginia Cavalry at Moorefield in West Virginia on August 7, 1864. He was honored with the award on June 13, 1894.
Kerr was born in Coleraine, County Londonderry, Ireland. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant with the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry in November 1862. He was promoted to Captain in May 1864 and resigned in June 1865. Kerr is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Medal of Honor citation
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Captain (Cavalry) Thomas R. Kerr, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 7 August 1864, while serving with Company C, 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry, in action at Moorefield, West Virginia. After being most desperately wounded, Captain Kerr captured the colors of the 8th Virginia Cavalry (Confederate States of America).