Frank Bois

Frank Bois (or Boise) (September 13, 1841 – January 25, 1920) was a Canadian sailor who fought in the American Civil War. He received the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during the Siege of Vicksburg on May 27, 1863, while serving as Quartermaster aboard the USS Cincinnati.[1]

Frank Bois
Born(1841-09-13)September 13, 1841
Quebec City, Lower Canada
DiedJanuary 25, 1920(1920-01-25) (aged 78)
Orting, Washington
Buried
Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery, Seattle, Washington
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
 United States Navy
Years of service1861–1862 (USA)
1862–1863 (USN)
RankPrivate (USA)
Quartermaster (USN)
Battles/warsSiege of Vicksburg
Awards Medal of Honor

Bois initially joined the 10th Massachusetts Infantry from Northampton, Massachusetts in June 1861.[2] He was transferred to the US Navy in September 1862, and discharged a year later.[3]

Bois died on January 25, 1920 and is buried in Seattle, Washington.[4]

Medal of Honor citation

Served as quartermaster on board the U.S.S. Cincinnati during the attack on the Vicksburg batteries and at the time of her sinking, 27 May 1863. Engaging the enemy in a fierce battle, the Cincinnati, amidst an incessant fire of shot and shell, continued to fire her guns to the last, though so penetrated by enemy shellfire that her fate was sealed. Conspicuously cool in making signals throughout the battle, Bois, after all the Cincinnati's staffs had been shot away, succeeded in nailing the flag to the stump of the forestaff to enable this proud ship to go down, "with her colors nailed to the mast."[5][6]

See also

References
  1. Terrence J. Winschel (2006). Triumph & Defeat: The Vicksburg Campaign, Volume 2. Casemate Publishers. p. 88. ISBN 9781611210187.
  2. Massachusetts Soldiers, Sailors and Marines in the Civil War, Vol I
  3. Massachusetts Soldiers, Sailors and Marines in the Civil War, Vol VII
  4. Friends of the GAR Cemetery Park
  5. "Civil War (A–L) Medal of Honor Recipients". Retrieved 20 September 2013.
  6. "Bois, Frank". Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
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