Help identify this person

[Mike Serpa]

Photo #04600 from the LOC. Lt. T. Perry, U.S.N.

I'm gathering photos for the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation and am trying to figure out if this is MOH recipient Thomas Perry. Only one Thomas Perry awarded the MOH. Mathew Brady had a studio in New York City. Many Brady Army and Navy personnel photos at the LOC are men from New York. I need proof to submit the photo to the NMOHMF. Does anyone have a photo of MOH recipient Thomas Perry? Was there only one T. Perry in the Navy at that time? etc. Thanks.

Thomas Perry
Date of birth: 1836
Date of death: Unknown
Place of Birth: New York, New York
Home of record: New York New York

Medal of Honor citation
Served as Boatswain's Mate on board the U.S.S. Kearsarge when she destroyed the Alabama off Cherbourg, France, 19 June 1864. Acting as Captain of the No. 2 gun during this bitter engagement, Boatswain's Mate Perry exhibited marked coolness and good conduct under the enemy fire and was recommended for gallantry by his divisional officer.

General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 45 (December 31, 1864)
Action Date: June 19, 1864
Service: Navy
Rank: Boatswain's Mate
Division: U.S.S. Kearsarge

 

[Mark F. Jenkins]

I'll check my information, but unless Boatswain's Mate Perry was later commissioned as an officer, he wouldn't be wearing what is clearly a Lieutenant's uniform, so I'm doubtful this is the same individual.


ETA: I see three Thomas Perrys in Callahan's list of officers, though one of them was never a Lieutenant. It is likely one of the other two, neither of whom were Boatswain's Mates.

 

[AndyHall]

The Naval Register lists two officers named Thomas Perry during the war. I believe this may be a postwar photo of the first of these, who was a snotty during the war and therefore NOT the Perry from the engagement with Alabama.

Perry, Thomas.
Midshipman, 25 September, 1861. Graduated September, 1865. Ensign, 1 December, 1866. Master, 12 March, 1868. Lieutenant, 26 March, 1869. Lieutenant Commander, 6 November, 1881. Commander, 10 January, 1892. Captain, 11 June, 1899.

Perry, Thomas.
Acting Ensign, 14 July, 1864. Honorably discharged 27 October, 1865.
​

The second Perry didn't make Lieutenant.

 

[Mark F. Jenkins]

Ah... you're right. I was misreading the OCR text of the Callahan's I was consulting, and confused Roger Perry with one of the Thomas Perrys. The first one you mention is almost certainly the subject of the photo (and therefore not the MOH winner, as Navy officers were not eligible for the MOH).

 

[Mike Serpa]

Great! Thanks Mark and Andy.

 

[AndyHall]

That long-serving Thomas Perry commanded U.S.S. Lancaster, a CW era ship, that was used as a station ship at Key West during the Spanish War.

 

[rosefiend]

The Naval Register lists two officers named Thomas Perry during the war. I believe this may be a postwar photo of the first of these, who was a snotty during the war

Andy, what in the name of wonder is a "snotty?" I assume it is not a midshipman with hay fever.

 

[AndyHall]

Andy, what in the name of wonder is a "snotty?" I assume it is not a midshipman with hay fever.

It's Royal Navy slang for a midshipman, with or without hay fever.

 

[Mike Serpa]

Andy, what in the name of wonder is a "snotty?" I assume it is not a midshipman with hay fever.

Feigning intelligence I chose to not ask what is a snotty. Thanks for asking!

 

[rosefiend]

No problem. I am here to serve.