Michael Emmet Urell was born near Nenagh on this day in 1844.
He was issued Congressional Medal of Honor award on June 6, 1870 for his actions as a private with Company E, 82nd New York Infantry, US Army, on October 14, 1863, at the Battle of Bristoe Station, Virginia.
He emigrated to the New York and when the American Civil War broke out in April 1861, he joined the Union Army. He saw action at the First Battle of Bull Run, the Battle of Fair Oaks, and the Battle of Bristoe Station.
It was at Bristoe Station where he would achieve the Medal of Honor. He was later promoted to the rank of brevet major. After the war, he became Colonel of the Columbia National Guards Second Infantry. He remained in the US Army, serving at the Siege of Santiago during the Spanish-American War.
Afterwards, he returned to Ireland where he died at the age of 65. Originally interred in Ireland, his remains were later moved to Arlington National Cemetery.
Sources:
https://www.cmohs.org/recipients/michael-e-urell
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7834109/michael-emmet-urell
