Born: July 15, 1843 in Hereford, Canada -

Died: April 3, 1928 in Orting, Pierce Co., WA

**Residence at time of enlistment: West Point, Columbia Co., WI
Enlisted: June 12, 1861 as a Corporal - Mustered Out: July 3, 1865 as a Captain (by brevet)
WOUNDED: May 5, 1864 at Wilderness, VA -

POW: April 1, 1865 at Gravelly Run, VA
Buried: Washington Soldiers Home Cemetery - Orting, Pierce Co., WA (Grave: 4-L-5)**

**MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION: **"For action at Gravelly Run, VA on March 31 and April 1, 1865.
On March 31st, with a comrade (William H. Sickles), Albert recaptured a Union Officer From a deteachment of 9 Confederates, capturing 3 and dispersing the remainder.
On April 1st, Albert seized a stand of Confederate colors, killing a Confederate officer in hand-to-hand combat. He retained the colors until surrounded by Confederates, compelling him to relinquish them."

In action against Confederate forces at Gravelly Run, Virginia, on March 31 and April 1, 1865, Sergeant Albert O'Connor and Sergeant William Sickles both earned the Medal of Honor for their heroism in action. While attempting to capture a stand of Confederate colors, together on March 31 the two soldiers recovered a Union officer that had been captured and was being held by a detachment of nine enemy soldiers. They captured three of the Confederate guards and forced the others to flee. On the following day, Sergeant O'Connor alone seized a stand of Confederate colors, killing the enemy officer in a hand-to-hand contest for the battle flag. Sergeant O'Connor retained the colors until he was subsequently surrounded by the enemy and compelled to return them.

7th Wisconsin MEDAL OF HONOR Recipients