Timothy O'Donoghue
United States Navy sailor and Medal of Honor recipient
About Timothy O'Donoghue
Lived 1841 – 1877 (aged 35–36). Timothy O'Donoghue was an American military personnel.
Timothy O'Donoghue (1844 - July 20, 1877) was a Union Navy sailor in the American Civil War and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during the Red River Campaign.
Born in 1844 in Rochester, New York, O'Donoghue joined the Navy in August 1863. He served as a seaman and boatswain's mate on the . On May 5, 1864, during an engagement with Confederates on the Red River in Louisiana, Signal took heavy fire and was disabled. Although wounded early in the battle, O'Donoghue remained at his post as gun captain until being ordered to withdraw. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor seven months later, on December 31, 1864.
O'Donoghue's official Medal of Honor citation reads: Served as boatswain's mate on board the U.S.S. Signal, Red River, 5 May 1864. Proceeding up the Red River, the U.S.S. Signal engaged a large force of enemy field batteries and sharpshooters, returning the fire until the ship was totally disabled, at which time the white flag was raised. Serving as gun captain, and wounded early in the battle, O'Donoghue bravely stood by his gun in the face of enemy fire until ordered to withdraw.
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Important facts
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Timothy O'Donoghue?
United States Navy sailor and Medal of Honor recipient (1841–1877)
When was Timothy O'Donoghue born?
Timothy O'Donoghue was born in 1841 in Rochester.
When did Timothy O'Donoghue die?
Timothy O'Donoghue died on 20 July 1877 in Rochester.
What was Timothy O'Donoghue's occupation?
Timothy O'Donoghue was a military personnel.
What nationality was Timothy O'Donoghue?
Timothy O'Donoghue was American.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: Timothy O'Donoghue
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Timothy O'Donoghue. https://biography.guide/timothy-o-donoghue/
MLA: "Timothy O'Donoghue." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/timothy-o-donoghue/.
Chicago: "Timothy O'Donoghue." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/timothy-o-donoghue/.
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