African-Americans Recipients of the Medal of Honor: In the years since the U. S. Medal of Honor was first established by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863 up to the end of the Korean War, 62 African-American soldiers, sailors, and army scouts have received the Medal for gallantry and heroism in the face of battle. Almost all of them were awarded prior to 1914, designating gallantry in the Civil War, the western campaigns or so-called Indian Wars, and the Spanish-American War. Only one medal was awarded to a black soldier during World War I, and none of the 433 Medals granted were awarded to blacks during World War II. In 1992, the U. S. army reviewed the W.W. II records of African-American service men and women, and seven candidates were subsequently recognized for their valor. This map presents information on each of the African-American recipients of the Medal of Honor. Teachers and students are invited to use this information along with the overview essay on "The African-American Military Experience in Jim Crow America" for individual and group projects on the role of racism and segregation in the U. S. military from 1863 to 1954.

FACTOR, POMPEY (Western Campaigns 1875)
Rank: Private
Service: U.S. Army
Birthday: 1849
Place of Birth: Arkansas
Date of Death: 29 March 1928
Cemetery: Seminole Indian Scout Cemetery (MH)--Brackettsville, Texas
Entered Service at: Fort Duncan, Texas
Unit: Indian Scouts
Battle or Place of Action: Pecos River, Texas
Date of Action: 25 April 1875
Date of Issue: 28 May 1875
Citation: With three other men, he participated in a charge against 25 Indian warriors while on a scouting patrol.

WARD, JOHN (Western Campaigns 1875)
True Name: Warrior, John
Rank: Sergeant
Service: U.S. Army
Birthday: 1847
Place of Birth: Arkansas
Date of Death: 24 May 1911
Cemetery: Seminole Indian Scout Cemetery (MH)--Brackettville, Texas
Entered Service at: Fort Duncan, Texas
Unit: 24^th U.S. Infantry, Indian Scouts
Battle or Place of Action: Pecos River, Texas
Date of Action: 25 April 1875
Date of Issue: 28 May 1875
Citation: With three other men, he participated in a charge against 25 Indian warriors while on a scouting patrol.

SHAW, THOMAS (Western Campaigns 1881)
Rank: Sergeant (highest rank: First Sergeant)
Service: U.S. Army
Birthday: 1846
Place of Birth: Covington, Kenton County, Kentucky
Date of Death: 23 June 1895
Place of Death: Washington, D.C.
Cemetery: Arlington National Cemetery (27-952-B) (MH)--Arlington, Virginia
Entered Service at: Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge County, Louisiana
Unit: Company K, 9^th U.S. Cavalry
Battle or Place of Action: Carrizo Canyon, New Mexico
Date of Action: 12 August 1881
Date of Issue: 7 December 1890
Citation: Courageously held his ground in an extremely exposed position and prevented the enemy’s superior numbers from overwhelming his command.

WOODS, BRENT (Western Campaigns 1881)
Rank: Sergeant
Service: U.S. Army
Birthday: 1850
Place of Birth: Pulaski County, Kentucky
Date of Death: 31 March 1906
Cemetery: Mill Springs National Cemetery A-930) (MH)--Nancy, Kentucky
Unit: Company B, 9^th U.S. Cavalry
Battle or Place of Action: New Mexico
Date of Action: 19 August 1881
Date of Issue: 12 July 1894
Citation: Saved the lives of his comrades and citizens in the town by his courageous conduct under superior enemy attacks.

STANCE, EMANUEL (Western Campaigns 1870)
Rank: Sergeant (highest rank: First Sergeant)
Service: U.S. Army
Birthday: 1843
Place of Birth: Carroll Parish, Louisiana
Date of Death: 25 December 1887
Place of Death: Fort Robinson, Nebraska
Cemetery: Fort McPherson National Cemetery (F-1040) (MH)--Maxwell, Nebraska
Entered Service at: East Carroll Parish, Louisiana
Unit: Company F, 9^th U.S. Cavalry
Battle or Place of Action: Kickapoo Springs, Texas
Date of Action: 20 May 1870
Date of Issue: 28 June 1870
Citation: Gallantry on scout foray against a superior force of Indian warriors.

BARNES, WILLIAM HENRY (Civil War 1864)
Rank: Private (highest rank: Sergeant)
Service: U.S. Army
Birthday: 1845
Place of Birth: St. Mary’s County, Maryland
Date of Death: 24 December 1866
Place of Death: Indianola U.S. Army Hospital, Texas
Cemetery: San Antonio National Cemetery as an unknown (MH) (‘In Memory’ marker)--San Antonio, Texas
Entered Service at: Norfolk, Norfolk County, Virginia
Unit: Company C, 38^th U.S. Colored Infantry
Battle or Place of Action: Chapin’s Farm, Virginia
Date of Action: 29 September 1864
Date of Issue: 6 April 1865
Citation: Among the first soldiers to enter the enemy’s works, although wounded.

BOYNE, THOMAS (Western Campaigns 1879)
Rank: Sergeant
Service: U.S. Army
Birthday: 1849
Place of Birth: Prince Georges County, Maryland
Date of Death: 21 April 1896
Place of Death: Washington, D.C.
Cemetery: Soldiers Home National Cemetery (J-5859) (MH)--Washington, D.C.
Entered Service at: Norfolk, Norfolk County, Virginia
Unit: Company C, 9^th U.S. Cavalry
Battle or Place of Action: Cuchillo Negro River & Mimbres Mountains, New Mexico
Date of Action: 29 May and 27 September 1879
Date of Issue: 6 January 1882
Citation: Bravery in action.

BROWN, WILLIAM H. (Civil War 1864)
Rank: Landsman
Service: U.S. Navy
Birthday: 1836
Place of Birth: Baltimore, Baltimore County, Maryland
Date of Death: 5 November 1896
Cemetery: Arlington National Cemetery (27-565-A) (MH)--Arlington, Virginia
Entered Service at: Maryland
Unit: U.S.S. Brooklyn
Battle or Place of Action: Fort Morgan, Mobile Bay, Alabama
Date of Action: 5 August 1864
G.O. Number, Date: 45, 31 December 1864
Citation: On board the U.S.S. Brooklyn during successful attacks against Fort Morgan rebel gunboats and the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay, on 5 August 1864. Stationed in the immediate vicinity of the shell whips which were twice cleared of men by bursting shells, Brown remained steadfast at his post and performed his duties in the powder division throughout the furious action, which resulted in the surrender of the prize rebel ram Tennessee and in the damaging and destruction of batteries at Fort Morgan.

DORSEY, DECATUR (Civil War 1864)
Rank: First Lieutenant & Adjutant
Service: U.S. Army
Birthday: 1836
Place of Birth: Howard County, Maryland
Date of Death: 11 July 1891
Place of Death: Hoboken, New Jersey
Cemetery: Flower Hill Cemetery (MH)--North Bergen, New Jersey
Entered Service at: Baltimore, Baltimore County, Maryland
Unit: Company B, 39^th U.S. Colored Infantry
Battle or Place of Action: Petersburg, Virginia
Date of Action: 30 July 1864
Date of Issue: 8 November 1865
Citation: Planted his colors on the Confederate works in advance of his regiment, and when the regiment was driven back to the Union works he carried the colors there and bravely rallied the men.

FLEETWOOD, CHRISTIAN A. (Civil War 1864)
Rank: Sergeant Major
Service: U.S. Army
Birthday: 21 July 1840
Place of Birth: Baltimore, Baltimore County, Maryland
Date of Death: 28 September 1914
Place of Death: Washington, D.C.
Cemetery: Harmony Memorial Park (MH)--Landover, Maryland
Entered Service at: Baltimore, Baltimore County, Maryland
Unit: 4^th U.S. Colored Infantry
Battle or Place of Action: Chapin’s Farm, Virginia
Date of Action: 29 September 1864
Date of Issue: 6 April 1865
Citation: Seized the colors, after two color bearers had been shot down, and bore them courageously through the remainder of the battle.

HARRIS, JAMES H. (Civil War 1864)
Rank: Sergeant
Service: U.S. Army
Birthday: 1828
Place of Birth: St. Mary’s County, Maryland
Date of Death: 28 January 1898
Cemetery: Arlington National Cemetery (27-985-H) (MH)--Arlington, Virginia
Entered Service at: Great Mills, St. Mary’s County, Maryland
Unit: Company B, 38^th U.S. Colored Infantry
Battle or Place of Action: New Market Heights, Virginia
Date of Action: 29 September 1864
Date of Issue: 18 February 1874
Citation: Gallantry in a frontal assault enemy lines of fortification.

HILTON, ALFRED B. (Civil War 1864)
Rank: Sergeant
Service: U.S. Army
Birthday: 1842
Place of Birth: Hartford County, Maryland
Date of Death: 21 October 1864
Place of Death: Fortress Monroe, Virginia
Cemetery: Hampton National Cemetery (E-1231) (MH)--Hampton, Virginia
Entered Service at: Baltimore, Baltimore County, Maryland
Unit: Company H, 4^th U.S. Colored Infantry
Battle or Place of Action: Chapin’s Farm, Virginia
Date of Action: 29 September 1864
Date of Issue: 6 April 1865
Citation: When the regimental color bearer fell, Hilton bravely seized the colors and carried it forward, together with the national standard, until seriously wounded at the enemy’s inner line.

WALLEY, AUGUSTUS (Western Campaigns 1881)
Rank: Private (highest rank: First Sergeant)
Service: U.S. Army
Birthday: 10 March 1856
Place of Birth: Reistertown, Baltimore County, Maryland
Date of Death: 9 April 1938
Place of Death: Baltimore, Maryland
Cemetery: St. Luke’s Cemetery (MH)--Reistertown, Maryland
Entered Service at: Baltimore, Baltimore County, Maryland
Unit: Company I, 9^th U.S. Cavalry
Battle or Place of Action: Cuchillo Negro Mountains, New Mexico
Date of Action: 16 August 1881
Date of Issue: 1 October 1890
Citation: Bravery in action against valiant Apache warriors.

WILSON, WILLIAM O. (Western Campaigns 1890)
Rank: Corporal
Service: U.S. Army
Birthday: 1867
Place of Birth: Hagerstown, Washington County, Maryland
Date of Death: 18 January 1928
Place of Death: Washington County, Maryland
Cemetery: Jewish Cemetery--Halfway, Maryland
Entered Service at: St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota
Unit: Company I, 9^th U.S. Cavalry
Battle or Place of Action: Sioux Campaign in the Dakotas
Date of Action: 1890
Date of Issue: 17 September 1891
Citation: Bravery.

SWEENEY, WILLIAM (Western Campaigns 1880)
Rank: Landsman, Engineer’s Force
Service: U.S. Navy
Birthday: 1856
Place of Birth: Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts
Entered Service at: Massachusetts
Unit: U.S.S. Jean Sands
Battle or Place of Action: opposite the Navy Yard, Norfolk, Virginia
Date of Action: 15 June 1880
G.O. Number, Date: 326, 18 October 1884
Citation: For jumping from the U.S.S. Jean Sands, opposite the Navy Yard, Norfolk, Va., on the night of 15 June 1880, and rescuing from drowning a young girl who had fallen overboard.

BROWN, WILSON (Civil War 1864)
Rank: Landsman
Service: U.S. Navy
Birthday: 1841
Place of Birth: Natchez, Adams County, Mississippi
Date of Death: 24 January 1900
Cemetery: National Cemetery (G-3152) (MH)--Natchez, Mississippi
Entered Service at: Mississippi River, Mississippi
Unit: U.S.S. Hartford
Battle or Place of Action: Fort Morgan, Mobile Bay, Alabama
Date of Action: 5 August 1864
G.O. Number, Date: 45, 31 December 1864
Citation: On board the flagship U.S.S. Hartford during successful attacks against Fort Morgan, rebel gunboats, and the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay, on 5 August 1864. Knocked unconscious by an enemy shell blast on the ship, Brown, upon regaining consciousness returned to the berth deck and continued to perform his duties while under horrendous enemy fire.

THOMPKINS, WILLIAM H. (Spanish American War 1898)
Rank: Private (highest rank: Sergeant)
Service: U.S. Army
Birthday: 3 October 1872
Place of Birth: Paterson, Passaic County, New Jersey
Date of Death: 24 September 1916
Cemetery: San Francisco National Cemetery (WS-1036-A Row 11) (MH)--San Francisco, California
Entered Service at: Paterson, Passaic County, New Jersey
Unit: Troop G, 10^th U.S. Cavalry
Battle or Place of Action: Tayabacoa, Cuba
Date of Action: 30 June 1898
Date of Issue: 23 June 1899
Citation: Voluntarily went ashore in the face of the enemy and aided in the rescue of his wounded comrades after several previous attempts at rescue had failed.

WANTON, GEORGE HENRY (Spanish American War 1898)
Rank: Private (highest rank: Master Sergeant)
Service: U.S. Army
Birthday: 15 May 1868
Place of Birth: Paterson, Passaic County, New Jersey
Date of Death: 27 November 1940
Place of Death: Washington, D.C.
Cemetery: Arlington National Cemetery (4-2749) (MH)--Arlington, Virginia
Entered Service at: Paterson, Passaic County, New Jersey
Unit: Troop M, 10^th U.S. Cavalry
Battle or Place of Action: Tayabacoa, Cuba
Date of Action: 30 June 1898
Date of Issue: 23 June 1899
Citation: Voluntarily aided in the rescue of his wounded comrades under heavy enemy fire after several previous attempts at rescue had been frustrated.

PEASE, JOACHIM (Civil War 1864)
Rank: Seaman
Service: U.S. Navy
Birthday: 1842
Place of Birth: Long Island, New York
Entered Service at: New York, New York
Unit: U.S.S. Kearsarge
Battle or Place of Action: off Cherbourg, France
Date of Action: 19 June 1864
G.O. Number, Date: 45, 31 December 1864
Citation: Served as seaman on board the U.S.S. Kearsarge when she destroyed the Alabama off Cherbourg, France, 19 June 1864. Acting as loader on the No. 2 gun during this fierce engagement, Pease exhibited bravery and gallantry under fire.

ANDERSON, AARON (Civil War 1865)
Rank: Landsman
Service: U.S. Navy
Birthday: 1815
Place of Birth: Plymouth, North Carolina
Date of Death:
Place of Death:
Cemetery:
Entered Service at: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Unit: U.S.S. Wyandank
Battle or Place of Action: Mattox Creek, North Carolina
Date of Action: March 17, 1865
Date of Issue: June 22, 1865
Citation: Credited with carrying out "his duties courageously in the face of devastating fire".

McBRYAR, WILLIAM (Spanish American War 1890)
Rank: Sergeant (highest rank: First Lieutenant)
Service: U.S. Army
Birthday: 14 February 1861
Place of Birth: Elizabethtown, Bladen County, North Carolina
Date of Death: 8 March 1941
Place of Death: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cemetery: Arlington National Cemetery (4-2738-B) (MH)--Arlington, Virginia
Entered Service at: New York, New York
Unit: 10^th U.S. Cavalry
Battle or Place of Action: Arizona Territory
Date of Action: 7 March 1890
Date of Issue: 15 May 1890
Citation: Distinguished himself for coolness, bravery, and marksmanship while his troop was in pursuit of a band of notoriously capable Apache Indian warriors.

HAWKINS, THOMAS R. (Civil War 1864)
Rank: Sergeant Major
Service: U.S. Army
Birthday: 1840
Place of Birth: Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio
Date of Death: 28 February 1870
Place of Death: Washington, D.C.
Cemetery: Harmony Cemetery--Landover, Maryland
Entered Service at: Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Unit: 6^th U.S. Colored Infantry
Battle or Place of Action: Chapin’s Farm, Virginia
Date of Action: 29 September 1864
Date of Issue: 8 February 1870
Citation: Rescue of regimental colors.

PINN, ROBERT A. (Civil War 1864)
Rank: First Sergeant
Service: U.S. Army
Birthday: 1 March 1843
Place of Birth: Stark County, Ohio
Date of Death: 1 January 1911
Cemetery: City Cemetery (MH)--Massillon, Ohio
Entered Service at: Massillon, Stark County, Ohio
Unit: Company I, 5^th U.S. Colored Infantry
Battle or Place of Action: Chapin’s Farm, Virginia
Date of Action: 29 September 1864
Date of Issue: 6 April 1865
Citation: Took command of his company after all the officers had been killed or wounded and gallantly led it in battle.

BRONSON, JAMES H. (Civil War 1864)
Rank: First Sergeant
Service: U.S. Army
Birthday: 1838
Place of Birth: Indiana County, Pennsylvania
Date of Death: 16 March 1884
Cemetery: Chartiers Cemetery (MH)--Carnegie, Pennsylvania
Entered Service at: Trumbell County, Ohio
Unit: Company D, 5^th U.S. Colored Infantry
Battle or Place of Action: Chapin’s Farm, Virginia
Date of Action: 29 September 1864
Date of Issue: 6 April 1865
Citation: Gallantly took command of his company after all the officers having been killed or wounded.

JOHNSON, JOHN (Western Campaigns 1872)
Rank: Seaman
Service: U.S. Navy
Birthday: 1839
Place of Birth: Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Entered Service at: Pennsylvania
Unit: U.S.S. Kansas
Battle or Place of Action: near Greytown, Nicaragua
Date of Action: 12 April 1872
G.O. Number, Date: 176, 9 July 1872
Citation: Serving on board the U.S.S. Kansas, near Greytown, Nicaragua, 12 April 1872, Johnson displayed great coolness and self-possession after Comdr. A.F. Crosman and others were drowned in a ship explosion. His extraordinary heroism and personal exertion prevented greater loss of life.

KELLY, ALEXANDER (Civil War 1864)
Rank: First Sergeant
Service: U.S. Army
Birthday: 7 April 1840
Place of Birth: Saltsburg, Indiana County, Pennsylvania
Date of Death: 19 June 1907
Cemetery: St. Peter’s Cemetery (MH)--Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Entered Service at: Allegheny, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Unit: Company F, 6^th U.S. Colored Infantry
Battle or Place of Action: Chapin’s Farm, Virginia
Date of Action: 29 September 1864
Date of Issue: 6 April 1865
Citation: Gallantly seized the colors, which had fallen near the enemy’s line of defense, raised them, and rallied the men at a time of confusion and great danger.

LAWSON, JOHN (Civil War 1864)
Rank: Landsman
Service: U.S. Navy
Birthday: 16 June 1837
Place of Birth: Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Date of Death: 3 May 1919
Place of Death: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cemetery: Mount Peace Cemetery--Camden, New Jersey
Entered Service at: Pennsylvania
Unit: U.S.S. Hartford
Battle or Place of Action: Mobile Bay, Alabama
Date of Action: 5 August 1864
G.O. Number, Date: 45, 31 December 1864
Citation: On board the flagship U.S.S. Hartford during successful attacks against Fort Morgan, rebel gunboats, and the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay on 5 August 1864. Although seriously wounded in the leg by an exploding shell, Lawson courageously held to his station and steadfastly continued his duties throughout the remainder of the action.

STOWERS, FREDDIE (World War I 1918)
Rank: Corporal
Service: U.S. Army
Birthday: 1896
Place of Birth: Sandy Springs, Anderson County, South Carolina
Date of Death: 28 September 1918
Place of Death: Champagne Marne Sector, France
Cemetery: A.B.M.C. Meuse-Argonne Cemetery--Meuse, France
Entered Service at: Anderson County, South Carolina
Unit: Company C, 371^st Infantry Regiment, 93^rd Division
Served as: Squad Leader
Battle or Place of Action: Hill 188, Champagne Marne Sector, France
Date of Action: 28 September 1918
Date of Presentation: 24 April 1991
Place of Presentation: President George Bush presented this citation to Lawson’s sisters: "Cpl. Freddie Stowers distinguished himself by exceptional heroism on 28 September 1918 while serving as a squad leader in Company C, 371^st Infantry Regiment, 93^rd Infantry Division. His company was the lead company during the attack on Hill 188, Champagne Marne Sector, France, during World War I. A few minutes after the attack began, the enemy ceased firing and began climbing up onto the parapets of the trenches, holding up their arms as if wishing to surrender. The enemy’s actions caused the American forces to ceasefire and to come out into the open. As the company started forward and when within about 100 meters of the trench line, the enemy jumped back into their trenches and greeted Cpl. Stowers’ company with interlocking bands of machine-gun fire and mortar fire causing well over fifty percent casualties. Faced with incredible enemy resistance, Cpl. Stowers took charge, setting such a courageous example of bravery and leadership that he inspired his men to follow him in the attack. With extraordinary heroism and complete disregard of personal danger under devastating fire, he crawled forward, leading his squad toward an enemy machine-gun nest which was causing heavy casualties to his company. After fierce fighting, the machine-gun position was destroyed and the enemy soldiers were killed. Displaying great courage and intrepidity Cpl. Stowers continued to press the attack against a determined enemy. While crawling forward and urging his men to continue the attack on a second trench line, he was gravely wounded by machine-gun fire. Although Cpl. Stowers was mortally wounded, he pressed forward, urging on the members of his squad, until he died. Inspired by the heroism and display of bravery of Cpl. Stowers, his company continued the attack against incredible odds, contributing to the capture of Hill 188 and causing heavy enemy casualties. Cpl. Stowers’ conspicuous gallantry, extraordinary heroism, and supreme devotion to his men were well above and beyond the call of duty, follow the finest traditions of military service, and reflect the utmost credit on him and the United States Army.

JORDAN, GEORGE (Western Campaigns 1880, 1881)
Rank: Sergeant
Service: U.S. Army
Birthday: 1847
Place of Birth: Williamson County, Tennessee
Date of Death: 24 October 1904
Cemetery: Fort McPherson National Cemetery (F-1131) (MH)--Maxwell, Nebraska
Entered Service at: Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee
Unit: Company K, 9^th U.S. Cavalry
Battle or Place of Action: Fort Tularosa & Carrizo Canyon, New Mexico
Date of Action: 14 May 1880 & 12 August 1881
Date of Issue: 7 May 1890
Citation: While commanding a detachment of 25 men at Fort Tularosa, New Mexico, Fordan repulsed a force of more than 100 Indian braves. At Carrizo Canyon, New Mexico, while commanding the right of a detachment of 19 men, 12 August 1881, he courageously held his ground in an extremely exposed position and gallantly forced back a much superior number of the enemy, preventing them from overwhelming his command.

HOLLAND, MILTON MURRAY (Civil War 1864)
Rank: Sergeant Major
Service: U.S. Army
Birthday: 1 August 1844
Place of Birth: Austin, Travis County, Texas
Date of Death: 15 May 1910
Place of Death: Silver Spring, Maryland
Cemetery: Arlington National Cemetery (23-21713)--Arlington, Virginia
Entered Service at: Albany, Athens County, Ohio
Unit: 5^th U.S. Colored Infantry
Battle or Place of Action: Chapin’s Farm, Virginia
Date of Action: 29 September 1864
Date of Issue: 6 April 1865
Citation: Took command of Company C, after all the officers had been killed or wounded, and gallantly led it.

ATKINS, DANIEL (Spanish American War 1898)
Rank: Ship’s Cook First Class
Service: U.S. Navy
Birthday: 1867
Place of Birth: Brunswick, Virginia
Date of Death:
Cemetery:
Entered Service at:
Unit: Battle or Place of Action: off Key West, Florida
Date of Action: February 11, 1898
Date of Issue: May 20, 1898
Citation: Decorated for risking his life responding to the pleas of two drowning crewmen. He earned the Navy Medal of Honor for "gallant conduct and courage".

BEATY, POWHATAN (Civil War 1864)
Rank: First Sergeant
Service: U.S. Army
Birthday: 8 October 1837
Place of Birth: Richmond, Richmond County, Virginia
Date of Death: 6 December 1916
Cemetery: Union Baptist Cemetery (MH)--Cincinnati, Ohio
Entered Service at: Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio
Unit: Company G, 5^th U.S. Colored Infantry
Battle or Place of Action: Chapin’s Farm, Virginia
Date of Action: 29 September 1864
Date of Issue: 6 April 1865
Citation: Took command of his company and gallantly led it in battle after all the officers.

BLAKE, ROBERT (Civil War 1863)
Rank: Contraband
Service: U.S. Navy
Place of Birth: Virginia
Entered Service at: Port Royal, Caroline County, Virginia
Unit: U.S. Steam Gunboat Marblehead
Battle or Place of Action: off Legareville, Stono River, John’s Island, South Carolina
Date of Action: 25 December 1863
G.O. Number, Date: 32, 16 April 1864
Citation: On board the U.S. gunboat Marblehead, in an engagement with the enemy on John’s Island. Serving the rifle gun, Blake, an escaped slave, carried out his duties bravely throughout the engagement, which resulted in the enemy’s abandonment of positions, leaving caisson and one gun behind.

BROWN, BENJAMIN (Western Campaigns 1889)
Rank: Sergeant
Service: U.S. Army
Birthday: 1859
Place of Birth: Spotsylvania County, Virginia
Date of Death: 5 September 1910
Place of Death: Washington, D.C.
Cemetery: Soldier’s Home National Cemetery (K-7519) (MH)--Washington, D.C.
Entered Service at: Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania
Unit: Company C, 24^th U.S. Infantry
Battle or Place of Action: Arizona
Date of Action: 11 May 1889
Date of Issue: 19 February 1890
Citation: Although shot in the abdomen, in a fight between a paymaster’s escort and robbers, Brown remained in the field until again wounded through both arms.

CARNEY, WILLIAM HARVEY (Civil War 1863)
Rank: Sergeant
Service: U.S. Army
Birthday: 29 February 1840
Place of Birth: Norfolk, Norfolk County, Virginia
Date of Death: 9 December 1908
Place of Death: New Bedford, Massachusetts
Cemetery: Oak Grove Cemetery (MH)--New Bedford, Massachusetts
Entered Service at: New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts
Unit: Company C, 54^th Massachusetts Colored Infantry
Battle or Place of Action: Fort Wagner, South Carolina
Date of Action: 18 July 1863
Date of Issue: 23 May 1900
Citation: When the color sergeant was shot down, this soldier grasped the flag, led the way to the parapet, and planted the colors thereon. When the troops fell back he brought off the flag, under a fierce fire in which he was twice severely wounded.

GARDINER, JAMES (Civil War 1864)
True Name: Gardner, James Daniel
Rank: Private
Service: U.S. Army
Birthday: 16 September 1839
Place of Birth: Gloucester, Gloucester County, Virginia
Date of Death: 29 September 1905
Place of Death: Clark’s Summit, Pennsylvania
Cemetery: Calvary Crest Cemetery (MH)--Ottumwa, Iowa
Entered Service at: Yorktown, York County, Virginia
Unit: Company I, 36^th U.S. Colored Infantry
Battle or Place of Action: Chapin’s Farm, Virginia
Date of Action: 29 September 1864
Date of Issue: 6 April 1865
Citation: Rushed in advance of his brigade, shooting the commanding rebel officer who was on the parapet rallying his men.

GREAVES, CLINTON (Western Campaigns 1877)
Rank: Corporal
Service: U.S. Army
Birthday: 12 August 1855
Place of Birth: Madison County, Virginia
Date of Death: 18 August 1906
Cemetery: Greenlawn Cemetery--Columbus, Ohio
Entered Service at: Baltimore, Baltimore County, Maryland
Unit: Company C, 9^th U.S. Cavalry
Battle or Place of Action: Florida Mountains, New Mexico
Date of Action: 24 January 1877
Date of Issue: 26 June 1879
Citation: While part of a small detachment in pursuit of a band of Apache Indians, his troop found itself cut off and surrounded. Cpl. Greaves in the center of fierce hand-to-hand fighting, managed to shoot a gap through the lines of the valiantly defiant Apaches, permitting his companions to break free.

JOHNSON, HENRY (Western Campaigns 1879)
Rank: Sergeant
Service: U.S. Army
Birthday: 11 June 1850
Place of Birth: Boydron, Mecklenburg County, Virginia
Date of Death: 31 January 1904
Place of Death: Washington, D.C.
Cemetery: Arlington National Cemetery (23-16547) (MH)--Arlington, Virginia
Entered Service at: Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan
Unit: Company D, 9^th U.S. Cavalry
Battle or Place of Action: Milk River, Colorado
Date of Action: 2-5 October 1879
Date of Issue: 22 September 1890
Citation: Voluntarily left fortified shelter and under heavy fire at close-range made the rounds of the pits to instruct the guards; fought his way to the creek and back to bring water to the wounded.

LEE, FITZ (Spanish American War 1898)
Rank: Private
Service: U.S. Army
Birthday: June 1866
Place of Birth: Dinwiddie County, Virginia
Date of Death: 14 September 1899
Place of Death: Leavenworth National Cemetery (G-3183) (MH)--Leavenworth, Kansas
Entered Service at: Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Unit: Troop M, 10^th U.S. Cavalry
Battle or Place of Action: Tayabacoa, Cuba
Date of Action: 30 June 1898
Date of Issue: 23 June 1899
Citation: Voluntarily went ashore in the face of the enemy and aided in the rescue of his wounded comrades; this after several previous attempts had been frustrated.

MAYS, ISAIAH (Western Campaigns 1889)
Rank: Corporal
Service: U.S. Army
Birthday: 16 February 1858
Place of Birth: Carters Bridge, Virginia
Date of Death: 2 May 1925
Place of Death: Phoenix, Arizona
Cemetery: Arizona State Hospital Cemetery (MH)--Phoenix, Arizona
Entered Service at: Columbus Barracks, Franklin County, Ohio
Unit: Company B, 24^th U.S. Infantry
Battle or Place of Action: Cedar Springs, Arizona Territory
Date of Action: 11 May 1889
Date of Issue: 19 February 1890
Citation: Gallantly in a fight between a Paymaster’s escort and robbers. Mays walked and crawled two miles to a ranch for help.

MIFFLIN, JAMES (Civil War 1864)
Rank: Engineer’s Cook
Service: U.S. Navy
Birthday: 1839
Place of Birth: Richmond, Richmond County, Virginia
Entered Service at: Virginia
Unit: U.S.S. Brooklyn
Battle or Place of Action: Mobile Bay, Alabama
Date of Action: 5 August 1864
G.O. Number, Date: 45, 31 December 1864
Citation: On board the U.S.S Brooklyn during successful attacks against Fort Morgan, rebel gunboats, and the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864. Stationed in the immediate vicinity of bursting shells, Mifflin remained steadfast at his post and performed his duties in the powder division throughout the furious action of this major sea battle of the Civil War.

PENN, ROBERT (Spanish American War 1898)
Rank: Fireman First Class
Service: U.S. Navy
Birthday: 10 October 1872
Place of Birth: City Point, Virginia
Date of Death: 8 June 1912
Place of Death: Las Animas, Colorado
Cemetery: unknown cemetery--Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Entered Service at: Virginia
Unit: U.S.S. Iowa
Battle or Place of Action: Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
Date of Action: 20 July 1898
G.O. Number, Date: 501, 14 December 1898
Citation: On board the U.S.S. Iowa off Santiago de Cuba, 20 July 1898. Performing his duty at the risk of serious scalding, Penn fought a shipboard fire while standing on a board thrown across a coal bucket one foot above the boiling water blowing from the ship’s boiler.

RATCLIFF, EDWARD (Civil War 1864)
Rank: First Sergeant (highest rank: Sergeant Major)
Service: U.S. Army
Birthday: 8 February 1835
Place of Birth: James County, Virginia
Date of Death: 10 March 1915
Place of Death: Nelson, Virginia
Cemetery: Chescake Cemetery Naval Station--Lackey, Virginia
Entered Service at: Yorktown, York County, Virginia
Unit: Company C, 38^th U.S. Colored Troops
Battle or Place of Action: Chapin’s Farm, Virginia
Date of Action: 29 September 1864
Date of Issue: 6 April 1865
Citation: Commanded and gallantly led his company after the commanding officer had been killed; he was the first enlisted man to enter the enemy’s works.

VEAL, CHARLES (Civil War 1864)
True Name: Veale, Charles
Rank: Private
Service: U.S. Army
Birthday: 1838
Place of Birth: Portsmouth, Portsmouth County, Virginia
Date of Death: 27 July 1872
Place of Death: Hampton, Virginia
Cemetery: Hampton National Cemetery (F-5097) (MH)--Hampton, Virginia
Entered Service at: Baltimore, Baltimore County, Maryland
Unit: Company D, 4^th U.S. Colored Infantry
Battle or Place of Action: Chapin’s Farm, Virginia
Date of Action: 29 September 1864
Date of Issue: 6 April 1865
Citation: Seized the national colors and bore them through the remainder of the battle after two color bearers had been shot down close to the enemy’s works.

BELL, DENNIS (Spanish American War 1898)
Rank: Private
Service: U.S. Army
Birthday: 28 December 1866
Place of Birth: Washington, D.C.
Date of Death: 25 September 1953
Place of Death: Washington, D.C.
Cemetery: Arlington National Cemetery (31-349) (MH)--Arlington, Virginia
Entered Service at: Washington, D.C.
Unit: Troop H, 10^th U.S. Cavalry
Battle or Place of Action: Tayabacoa, Cuba
Date of Action: 30 June 1898
Date of Issue: 23 June 1899
Citation: Voluntarily went ashore in the face of enemy fire and aided in the rescue of his wounded comrades after several previous attempts had failed.

BAKER JR., EDWARD LEE (Spanish American War 1898)
Rank: Sergeant Major (highest rank: Captain)
Service: U.S. Army
Birthday: 28 December 1865
Place of Birth: Platte River, Laramie County, Wyoming
Date of Death: 26 August 1913
Place of Death: Presidio of San Francisco, California
Cemetery: Rosedale Cemetery--Los Angeles, California
Entered Service at: Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio
Unit: 10^th U.S. Cavalry
Battle or Place of Action: Santiago, Cuba
Date of Action: 1 July 1898
Date of Issue: 3 July 1902
Citation: Left cover and, under fire, rescued a wounded comrade from drowning.

DAVIS, JOHN (Western Campaign 1881)
Rank: Ordinary Seaman
Service: U.S. Navy
Birthday: 1854
Place of Birth: Kingston, Jamaica
Date of Death: Hampton, Virginia
Cemetery: Hampton National Cemetery (C-8534) (MH)--Hampton, Virginia
Unit: U.S.S. Trenton
Battle or Place of Action: Toulon, France
Date of Action: February 1881
G.O. Number, Date: 326, 18 October 1884
Citation: On board the U.S.S. Trenton, Toulon, France, February 1881. Jumping overboard, Davis rescued Augustus Ohlensen, coxswain, from drowning.

GIRANDY, ALPHONSE (Spanish American War 1901)
Rank: Seaman
Service: U.S. Navy
Birthday: 21 January 1868
Place of Birth: Guadaloupe, West Indies
Date of Death: 3 April 1941
Cemetery: Philadelphia National Cemetery (N-66) (MH)--Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Entered Service at: Pennsylvania
Unit: U.S.S. Petrel
Battle or Place of Action: U.S.S. Petrel
Date of Action: 31 March 1901
G.O. Number, Date: 85, 22 March 1902
Citation: Serving on board the U.S.S. Petrel, for heroism and gallantry, fearlessly exposing his own life to danger for the saving of others, on the occasion of the fire on board that vessel, 31 March 1901.

JOHNSON, WILLIAM (Western Campaign 1879)
Rank: Cooper
Service: U.S. Navy
Birthday: 1855
Place of Birth: St. Vincent, West Indies
Date of Death: 20 May 1903
Cemetery: Arlington National Cemetery (23-16648-32) (MH)--Arlington, Virginia
Entered Service at: New York
Unit: U.S.S. Adams
Battle or Place of Action: Navy Yard, Mare Island, California
Date of Action: 14 November 1879
G.O. Number, Date: 326, 18 October 1884
Citation: Serving on board the U.S.S. Adams at the Navy Yard, Mare Island, Cal., 14 November 1879, Johnson rescued Daniel W. Kloppen, a workman, from drowning.

NOIL, JOSEPH B. (Western Campaigns 1872)
Rank: Seaman
Service: U.S. Navy
Birthday: 1841
Place of Birth: Nova Scotia, Canada
Entered Service at: New York
Unit: U.S.S. Powhatan
Battle or Place of Action: Norfolk, Virginia
Date of Action: 26 December 1872
Citation: Serving on board the U.S.S. Powhatan at Norfolk, 26 December 1872, Noil saved Boatswain J.C. Walton from drowning.

PAYNE, ISAAC (Western Campaigns 1875)
Rank: Trumpeter
Service: U.S. Army
Birthday: 1854
Place of Birth: Mexico
Date of Death: 12 January 1904
Cemetery: Seminole Indian Scout Cemetery (MH)--Brackettsville, Texas
Entered Service at: Fort Duncan, Texas
Unit: Indian Scouts
Battle or Place of Action: Pecos River, Texas
Date of Action: 25 April 1875
Date of Issue: 28 May 1875
Citation: With three other men, he participated in a charge against 25 hostiles while on a scouting patrol.

SMITH, JOHN (Western Campaigns 1880)
Rank: Seaman
Service: U.S. Navy
Birthday: 1854
Place of Birth: Bermuda
Entered Service at: New York
Unit: U.S.S. Shenandoah
Battle or Place of Action: Rio de Janiero, Brazil
Date of Action: 19 September 1880
G.O. Number, Date: 326, 18 October 1884
Citation: For jumping overboard from the U.S.S. Shenandoah, at Rio de Janiero, Brazil, 19 September 1880, and rescuing from drowning James Grady, first class fireman.

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