Martin Conboy

Martin Conboy (1833 – December 21, 1909) was an Irish soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Conboy received the United States' highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action during the Battle of Williamsburg in Virginia on 5 May 1862. He was honored with the award on 11 October 1892.[1][2][3]

Martin Conboy
BornNovember 11, 1833
County Roscommon, Ireland
DiedDecember 21, 1909
New Jersey
Buried
Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service1861 - 1863
RankSecond Lieutenant
Unit 37th Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry
Battles/warsBattle of Williamsburg
Awards Medal of Honor

Biography

Martin was born in 1933 to Roger Conboy and Sarah Murray in Athleague, County Roscommon, Ireland. After immigrating to the New York City in 1860, Martin enlisted in the United States Army in August 1861. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in December 1862.

Martin’s son, Martin Thomas Conboy Jr. a staunch Irish Republican and advocate for Catholic Emancipation in Ireland, went on to become one of the most powerful attorneys in the United States. While little known to the average citizen in Ireland, Martin’s access to power in the US led him to become one of the single most influential Irish Americans working to secure US support for the establishment of the Irish Republic. At various points in his career, he would serve as the US counsel to friend and eventual president, Éamon de Valera of the Irish Republic, as well as Franklin D. Roosevelt during his time as N.Y. state governor who then appointed him as US Attorney for the Southern District of New York.

Conboy died on 21 December 1909, and his remains were initially interred at the Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in New Jersey. They were moved to the Arlington National Cemetery in July 2001 at the request of his descendants. [4]

Medal of Honor citation

Took command of the company in action, the captain having been wounded, the other commissioned officers being absent, and handled it with skill and bravery.[1][2]

See also

References
  1. "Civil War (A-L) Medal of Honor Recipients". Retrieved 24 November 2013.
  2. "Martin Conboy". Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 24 November 2013.
  3. "U.S. Army Medal of Honor Recipients". Retrieved 24 November 2013.
  4. Arlington Cemetery
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