Support our Veterans Who Have Chosen to Run for Public Office

Bellefontaine Cemetery
  292-4482 

Born:  January 21, 1842 at Calais, ME

Entered Service in the US Army from St. Anthony Falls, MN

Earned The Medal of Honor During the Civil War For heroism July 03, 1863 at Gettysburg, PA

Corporal Henry O'Brien was one of 63 men who was awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in the battle at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 1 - 3, 1863. Though his citation notes only his heroism on the last day of that battle, on July 2 Corporal O'Brien was conspicuous for caring a wounded comrade back to the union lines in a battle that had cost the 1st Minnesota 262 casualties. On July 3 with only forty-seven men remaining, the 1st Minnesota assisted in repulsing Pickett's Charge. In that action the regiment's color bearer was struck down, and Corporal O'Brien picked up the flag to continue the advance. He was struck in the side of the head by a spent bullet which never-the-less knocked him momentarily senseless. Still, he retained hold of the flag and advanced with his unit though wounded a second time, this time by a bullet to the hand. Ignoring this second wound, Corporal O'Brien retained control of his flag until the enemy assault had been broken.