Thomas Custer, the younger brother of General George A. Custer, was the ONLY man to receive TWO Medals of Honor in the Civil War (making him the first of 19 double recipients of the Medal of Honor). In both actions he was cited for capturing enemy flags, an ironic twist since his older brother George was the first Union soldier to capture an enemy flag in that war (in 1862 as aide-de-camp to General McClellan). After the war Tom served under his brother in the West, and died with him at the Battle of the Little Big Horn.
Sponsored by:
Thomas
Ward
Custer
March 15, 1845
–
June 25, 1876
Cemetery:
Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery
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Medal of Honor
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Second LieutenantDivision:
6th Michigan CavalryAction Date:
April 6, 1865
Date of Issue: May 26, 1865The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor (Second Award) to Second Lieutenant Thomas Ward Custer, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 6 April 1865, while serving with Company B, 6th Michigan Cavalry, in action at Deatonsville (Sailor’s Creek), Virginia. Second Lieutenant Custer leaped his horse over the enemy’s works and captured two stands of colors, having his horse shot from under him and receiving a severe wound.
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Medal of Honor
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Second LieutenantDivision:
6th Michigan CavalryAction Date:
April 3, 1865
Date of Issue: May 3, 1865The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor (First Award) to Second Lieutenant Thomas Ward Custer, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism while serving with Company B, 6th Michigan Cavalry, in action at Willicomack (Namozine Church), Virginia, for capture of flag on 3 April 1865.