John O'Dea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John O'Dea
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O'Dea in 1880
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| Born | 1839 Ireland |
| Died | 1905 (aged 65–66) Quincy, Illinois, United States |
| Place of burial |
Sunset Cemetery, Quincy, Illinois
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| Service/ |
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| Rank | Private |
| Unit |  Company D, 8th Missouri Volunteer Infantry |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
John O'Dea (1839 – 1905) was a brave soldier who fought for the Union Army during the American Civil War. He earned the Medal of Honor, which is the highest award for bravery in the U.S. military. He received it for his amazing courage during a battle called the Siege of Vicksburg on May 22, 1863.
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John O'Dea: A Brave Soldier
John O'Dea was born in Ireland in 1839. He later moved to the United States. When the American Civil War began, he joined the Union Army. He served as a Private in Company D of the 8th Missouri Volunteer Infantry. His actions during the war showed great courage and dedication.
The American Civil War
The American Civil War was a huge conflict fought in the United States from 1861 to 1865. It was a war between the Northern states, known as the Union, and the Southern states, which had formed the Confederacy. The war was fought over many issues, including slavery and states' rights. Thousands of soldiers like John O'Dea fought bravely on both sides.
The Siege of Vicksburg
One of the most important battles of the Civil War was the Siege of Vicksburg. Vicksburg was a city in Mississippi that was very important for controlling the Mississippi River. In 1863, Union General Ulysses S. Grant led his army to capture Vicksburg. This was a long and difficult battle, as the Confederate forces defended the city strongly.
A Dangerous Mission
On May 22, 1863, General Grant ordered a major attack on Vicksburg. The plan involved a special group of volunteers. Their job was to build a bridge over a ditch and place ladders against the enemy's walls. This had to be done before the main attack. This mission was extremely dangerous. Soldiers knew that many would not survive. It was called a "forlorn hope," meaning a mission with very little chance of success.
Only single men were allowed to volunteer for this mission. Even then, twice as many men stepped forward as were needed. This shows how brave these soldiers were. The attack started early in the morning after the navy fired cannons at the city. The Union soldiers immediately faced heavy enemy fire. They were stuck in the ditch they were supposed to cross.
Despite repeated attacks by the main Union army, the volunteers of the "forlorn hope" could not retreat. They were pinned down until nightfall. Out of 150 men in this brave group, almost half were killed.
A Medal for Bravery
Even though the mission was incredibly dangerous, the soldiers showed amazing courage. Seventy-nine of the survivors from this "forlorn hope" mission were awarded the Medal of Honor. John O'Dea was one of these heroes. His bravery during the Siege of Vicksburg earned him this very special award. The Medal of Honor recognizes soldiers who perform acts of extreme courage beyond the call of duty.
