The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private Thomas Belcher, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 29 September 1864, while serving with Company I, 9th Maine Infantry, in action at Chapin’s Farm, Virginia. Private Belcher took a guidon from the hands of the bearer, mortally wounded, and advanced with it nearer to the battery than any other man.