BOIS, FRANK
Rank and Organization: Quartermaster, U.S. Navy. Entered Service At:
Northampton, Mass. Born: 1841, Canada. Date of Issue: 24 November 1916. G.O.
No.: 17, 10 July 1863.
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."
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