John Green (Medal of Honor) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Green
|
|
|---|---|
John Green, Medal of Honor recipient
|
|
| Born | November 20, 1825 Kingdom of Württemberg |
| Died | November 22, 1908 (aged 83) Boise, Idaho |
| Place of burial |
Morris Hill Cemetery
|
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/ |
 United States Army |
| Years of service | 1846–1848, 1852–1889 |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel Brevet Brigadier General |
| Unit | Regiment of Mounted Riflemen |
| Commands held | 1st Cavalry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | Mexican–American War American Civil War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor National Association of Veterans of Mexican War Medal |
John Green (born November 20, 1825 – died November 22, 1908) was a brave United States cavalry officer. Cavalry officers were soldiers who fought while riding horses. He received the Medal of Honor, which is the highest award for bravery in the U.S. military. He earned this award for his courage and leadership during the First Battle of the Stronghold in the Modoc War.
John Green's Early Life
John Green was born in a German area called Württemberg in 1825. When he was seven years old, in 1832, his family moved to Crawford County, Ohio, in the United States. He had one sister and five brothers.
John helped his father on their family farm. In the winter, he went to school. When he was 14, he tried to learn how to be a carpenter, but he only stayed for one month. At 16, he tried learning cabinetmaking from his brother, but that also lasted only two weeks. John then left home and found a job as a store clerk in Columbus, Ohio. He worked there for four years.
In 1846, when John was 21, an army recruiter came to Columbus. John and a friend decided to join the army. After just one month of service, John was promoted to sergeant.
Military Adventures and Wars
John Green officially joined the army on July 1, 1846. He fought in the Mexican–American War (1846-1848) under a famous general named Winfield Scott. During this war, John was a "first sergeant" in the U.S. Mounted Rifles, which meant he was a senior non-commissioned officer.
He left the army in August 1848 but joined again in September 1852, serving with the same group of soldiers. When the American Civil War began in 1861, John Green was a "first lieutenant," a junior officer. He was promoted to captain in August 1861 and stayed with his regiment throughout the war. His regiment was later renamed the 2nd Cavalry Regiment. For his good service, he received special "brevet" promotions to major and then to lieutenant colonel. A brevet promotion means you get a higher rank for a special reason, but you might not get the higher pay that comes with it.
In June 1868, John Green became a "major" in the 1st Cavalry Regiment. He fought against the Apaches in Arizona. Later, he was in charge of Fort Klamath in Oregon when the Modoc War started.
Bravery in the Modoc War
John Green earned the Medal of Honor during the First Battle of the Stronghold in the Modoc War. This battle was tough, and the U.S. forces were defeated at first. The Modoc warriors were very good fighters and were causing many injuries to Green's soldiers.
To encourage his men, John Green did something incredibly brave. He stepped out from behind cover, where he was safe, and stood in the open. He walked back and forth in front of his soldiers, even though the Modoc warriors could see him clearly. He slapped his gloves in his palm to show his determination. Even though he was exposed to enemy fire, John Green survived, though he was injured. He kept leading his men.
After this battle, Colonel Alvan Cullem Gillem took command of the fight against the Modocs. John Green led a group of cavalry and infantry soldiers under Colonel Gillem. They fought in the Second Battle of the Stronghold, where the U.S. forces successfully captured Captain Jack's Stronghold, a very strong Modoc fort.
John Green retired from the army in 1889. Before he retired, he served as the commander of Fort Boise and also Fort Walla Walla. In 1890, he received another brevet promotion, this time to brigadier general.
See also
