Thomas Custer
| Thomas Ward Custer | |
|---|---|
Captain Thomas W. Custer, two-time Medal of Honor recipient
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| Born |
March 15, 1845 New Rumley, Ohio |
| Died | June 25, 1876 (aged 31) Little Bighorn, Montana Territory |
| Buried at | Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery |
| Allegiance |
 United States of AmericaUnion |
| Service/branch |
 United States ArmyUnion |
| Years of service | 1861–1876 |
| Rank |
 Brevet Lieutenant Colonel
|
| Unit |
 21st Ohio Infantry (1861–64) 6th Michigan Cavalry (1864–65)7th U.S. Cavalry (1866–76) |
| Commands held | Company C, 7th U.S. Cavalry |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Medal of Honor (2) |
Thomas Ward Custer (March 15, 1845 – June 25, 1876) was a United States Army officer and two-time recipient of the Medal of Honor for bravery during the American Civil War. He was a younger brother of George Armstrong Custer's, and perished with him and their younger brother, Boston Custer, at Little Bighorn in the Montana Territory.
He was born in New Rumley, Ohio, the third son of Emanuel and Marie Custer. He enlisted in the Union Army, in September 1861, at age 16, and served in the early campaigns of the Civil War as a private in the 21st Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He saw action at numerous battles, including Stones River, Missionary Ridge and the Atlanta Campaign. He mustered out in October 1864 as a corporal. Commissioned a second lieutenant in Company B of the 6th Michigan Cavalry, he became his brother's aide-de-camp and accompanied him throughout the last year of the war.
Tom Custer distinguished himself by winning successively the brevets of captain, major, and lieutenant colonel, although he was barely 20 years of age when the Civil War ended. He was awarded two Medals of Honor. He was the first soldier to receive the dual honor, one of only four soldiers or sailors to receive the dual honor during the Civil War, and one of just 19 in history.
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