The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Private Thompson's Long Overdue Ceremony

I came across a blog where the author was at the ceremony and had an account of it and lots of pictures.

You can view it at http://nygoe.wordpress.com. Go to September 14th "A Day Fulfilled."

A ceremony was held where, 119 years after his death, Private Henry A. Thompson (AKA Rodderick P. Connelly), finally received his due for service and winning the Medal of Honor. The event was sponsored by the Marine Corps League and the headstone donated by Kennedy Roth Funeral Home with the names of Thompson and his family (who are also interred with him) inscribed.

A 21-gun salute was fired, placement of a wreath and renditions of the national Anthem, "God Bless America," and "The Marine Corps Hymn" sung.

The tombstone reads:

Henry A. Thompson
(AKA Roderick P. Connelly)
1841-1889
Private
United States Marine Corps
Ships Company USS Minnesota
Medal of Honor
22 June 1865
For His Actions During
The Assault on Fort Fisher
South Carolina
15 January 1865

Marcella 1879
Catherine 1886
Mary A 1896

Donated by
The Kennedy Roth Funeral Home
A Dignity Memorial provider

Impressive, but Fort Fisher was in North Carolina.

At Long Last, Private Thompson Gets His Due. --B-R'er