List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Gettysburg Campaign facts for kids

The Gettysburg Campaign was a series of important battles during the American Civil War in 1863. Soldiers from the Union (North) and Confederate (South) fought from early June to late July in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. The biggest battle was the Battle of Gettysburg, fought from July 1 to July 3 in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This battle had the most casualties (deaths and injuries) of the entire war. Many people see it as a major turning point in the war.

During this campaign, 73 Union soldiers received the Medal of Honor for their incredible bravery. These awards were given for actions in 7 different battles.

The Medal of Honor is the highest military award given by the United States government. It was created in 1862, during the Civil War. To receive it, a soldier must show extreme bravery and risk their life beyond what is expected. They must act heroically against an enemy. Sometimes, this medal is given after a soldier has died, to honor their sacrifice.

The Medal of Honor in the original 1862 U.S. Army version

Battles and Awards

The Gettysburg Campaign included several battles where soldiers earned the Medal of Honor. Here's a quick look at where these brave acts happened:

Heroes of Gettysburg: Medal of Honor Recipients

Many soldiers showed amazing courage during the Gettysburg Campaign. The Medal of Honor was given to those who went above and beyond their duty. Here are some of their stories.

      This color, along with the * , indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously

Image	Name	Rank	Unit	Date of action	Date of award	What they did
	Allen, Nathaniel M.Nathaniel M. Allen	Corporal	1st Massachusetts Infantry	July 2, 1863	March 29, 1899	When his group was retreating, Corporal Allen went back into enemy fire. He pulled his regiment's flag from under a fallen soldier. He saved both flags from being captured and brought them safely away.
—	Bacon, Elijah W.Elijah W. Bacon*	Private	14th Connecticut Infantry	July 3, 1863	December 1, 1864	He bravely captured the flag of the 16th North Carolina regiment (Confederate).
	Benedict, George G.George G. Benedict	Second Lieutenant	12th Vermont Infantry	July 3, 1863	June 27, 1892	He delivered orders and helped re-form his lines while under heavy enemy fire.
—	Burke, ThomasThomas Burke	Private	5th New York Cavalry	June 30, 1863	February 11, 1878	He captured a battle flag from the 13th Virginia Cavalry at the Battle of Hanover.
	Capehart, Charles E.Charles E. Capehart	Major	1st West Virginia Cavalry	July 4, 1863	April 7, 1898	Major Capehart led his regiment in a midnight charge down a mountain. They attacked the enemy's fleeing wagons, capturing many and taking prisoners at the Battle of Monterey Pass.
—	Carey, HughHugh Carey	Sergeant	82nd New York Infantry	July 2, 1863	February 6, 1888	He captured the flag of the 7th Virginia Infantry (Confederate), even though he was wounded twice while doing it.
	Chamberlain, Joshua L.Joshua L. Chamberlain	Colonel	20th Maine Infantry	July 2, 1863	August 11, 1893	Colonel Chamberlain showed amazing bravery and determination. He held his position on Little Round Top against many enemy attacks. He also led his troops to capture the advanced position on Great Round Top.
	Clark, HarrisonHarrison Clark	Corporal	125th New York Infantry	July 2, 1863	June 11, 1895	He quickly grabbed the colors (flags) and moved forward after the soldier carrying them was shot.
	Coates, JeffersonJefferson Coates	Sergeant	7th Wisconsin Infantry	July 1, 1863	June 29, 1866	He showed incredible courage in battle, even after he was severely wounded and lost his eyesight.
	Cushing, Alonzo H.Alonzo H. Cushing*	First Lieutenant	Battery A, 4th U.S. Light Artillery	July 3, 1863	November 6, 2014	Even though he was badly wounded, he refused to leave. He kept directing his cannon, firing at the enemy until he died.
	Di Cesnola, Luigi P.Luigi Palma di Cesnola	Colonel	4th New York Cavalry	June 17, 1863	1897	Colonel di Cesnola was under arrest, but when he saw his regiment falling back, he rallied them. He joined them in a second charge without a weapon. He was released from arrest for his bravery and continued fighting until he was badly wounded and captured at the Battle of Aldie.
	Enderlin, RichardRichard Enderlin	Musician	73rd Ohio Infantry	July 1 – July 3, 1863	September 11, 1897	He volunteered to fight as a soldier during the first two days of the battle. At night, he bravely went into enemy lines under fire to rescue a wounded friend.
	Fuger, FrederickFrederick Fuger	First Sergeant	Battery A, 4th U.S. Light Artillery	July 3, 1863	August 24, 1897	After all the officers in his battery were killed or wounded, and five cannons were broken during Pickett's Charge, he took command. He bravely fought with the last working cannon until his battery was ordered to retreat.
	Furman, Chester S.Chester S. Furman	Corporal	6th Pennsylvania Reserves	July 2, 1863	August 3, 1897	He was one of six volunteers who charged a log house near Devil's Den. Enemy sharpshooters were hiding there, and he helped force them to surrender.
	Hincks, William B.William B. Hincks	Sergeant Major	14th Connecticut Infantry	July 3, 1863	December 1, 1864	During the peak of Pickett's charge, he captured the flag of the 14th Tennessee Infantry (Confederate) which was planted close to his regiment.
	Holton, Charles M.Charles M. Holton	First Sergeant	7th Michigan Cavalry	July 14, 1863	March 21, 1889	He captured the flag of the 55th Virginia Infantry (Confederate). He got off his horse in the middle of a battle with foot soldiers to capture the flag at the Battle of Williamsport.
	Horan, ThomasThomas Horan	Sergeant	72nd New York Infantry	July 2, 1863	April 5, 1898	During a charge by his regiment, he captured the flag of the 8th Florida Infantry (Confederate).
	Huidekoper, Henry S.Henry S. Huidekoper	Lieutenant Colonel	150th Pennsylvania Infantry	July 1, 1863	May 27, 1905	While fighting off an enemy attack, he was badly wounded in his right arm. Instead of leaving, he stayed at the front, leading his regiment.
	Irsch, FrancisFrancis Irsch	Captain	45th New York Infantry	July 1, 1863	May 27, 1892	He bravely outflanked the enemy, capturing prisoners. He then held part of the town against strong odds while the Union Army regrouped on Cemetery Hill.
	Jellison, Benjamin H.Benjamin H. Jellison	Sergeant	19th Massachusetts Infantry	July 3, 1863	December 1, 1864	He captured the flag of the 57th Virginia Infantry (Confederate) and helped take prisoners.
	Knox, Edward M.Edward M. Knox	Second Lieutenant	15th Battery, New York Light Artillery	July 2, 1863	October 18, 1892	He held his position with his artillery battery even after other batteries retreated. He was forced to pull his cannon away by hand and was severely wounded.
	Lonergan, JohnJohn Lonergan	Captain	13th Vermont Infantry	July 2, 1863	October 28, 1893	He bravely helped recapture four cannons and captured two more from the enemy. He also captured many prisoners.
	Miller, William E.William E. Miller	Captain	3rd Pennsylvania Cavalry	July 3, 1863	July 21, 1897	Without waiting for orders, he led his squadron in a charge against the enemy's side. This stopped their attack and scattered the enemy's rear column.
	Munsell, Harvey M.Harvey M. Munsell	Sergeant	99th Pennsylvania Infantry	July 1 – July 3, 1863	February 5, 1866	He showed brave and courageous conduct as a color bearer. He carried his regiment's flags through 13 battles.
	O'Brien, Henry D.Henry D. O'Brien	Corporal	1st Minnesota Infantry	July 3, 1863	April 9, 1890	He picked up the fallen colors (flags) and rushed ahead of his regiment, close to the enemy's guns. He fought bravely, and even though he was severely wounded twice, he held the colors until the enemy was defeated.
—	Patterson, JohnJohn Patterson	Principal Musician	122nd Ohio Infantry	June 14, 1863	May 13, 1899	With a friend, he bravely went in front of the Union lines under heavy enemy fire. They carried back a helpless, wounded comrade, saving him from death or capture at the Second Battle of Winchester.
	Pipes, JamesJames Pipes	Captain	140th Pennsylvania Infantry	July 2, 1863 & August 25, 1864	April 5, 1898	At Gettysburg, while retreating, he and a friend stopped to carry a wounded comrade to safety. Both were severely wounded. A year later, at Reams Station, he helped stop an enemy flank attack and was again severely wounded, losing an arm.
	Platt, George C.George C. Platt	Private	6th U.S. Cavalry	July 3, 1863	July 12, 1895	He grabbed his regiment's flag when the standard bearer died in a hand-to-hand fight. He stopped the flag from falling into enemy hands at the Battle of Fairfield.
	Postles, James P.James P. Postles	Captain	1st Delaware Infantry	July 2, 1863	July 22, 1892	He bravely delivered an order even though he was under heavy enemy fire.
	Purman, James J.James J. Purman	First Lieutenant	140th Pennsylvania Infantry	July 2, 1863	October 30, 1896	He bravely helped a wounded friend to safety while the enemy was very close. He was shot and lost his left leg.
	Reed, Charles W.Charles W. Reed	Bugler	9th Battery, Massachusetts Light Artillery	July 2, 1863	August 16, 1895	He rescued his wounded captain from between the battle lines.
	Rice, EdmundEdmund Rice	Major	19th Massachusetts Infantry	July 3, 1863	October 6, 1891	He showed remarkable bravery on the third day of the battle. He was severely wounded while leading a countercharge against Pickett's division, deep within enemy lines.
	Robinson, ElbridgeElbridge Robinson	Private	122nd Ohio Infantry	June 14, 1863	April 5, 1898	With a friend, Private Robinson bravely went in front of the Union line under heavy enemy fire. They carried back a helpless, wounded comrade, saving him from death or capture at the Second Battle of Winchester.
	Roosevelt, George W.George W. Roosevelt	First Sergeant	26th Pennsylvania Infantry	August 30, 1862 & July 2, 1863	July 2, 1897	At Gettysburg, he captured a Confederate flag and its bearer. He was severely wounded during this act.
	Roush, J. LeviJ. Levi Roush	Corporal	6th Pennsylvania Reserves	July 2, 1863	August 3, 1897	He was one of six volunteers who charged a log house near the Devil's Den. Enemy sharpshooters were hiding there, and he helped force them to surrender.
	Rutter, James M.James M. Rutter	Sergeant	143rd Pennsylvania Infantry	July 1, 1863	October 30, 1896	He risked his life to help a wounded friend. He moved his friend to safety while under enemy fire.
—	Schwenk, MartinMartin Schwenk	Sergeant	6th U.S. Cavalry	July 3, 1863	April 23, 1889	He showed bravery trying to deliver a message through enemy lines. Sergeant Schwenk also rescued an officer from the enemy at the Battle of Fairfield.
	Sellers, Alfred J.Alfred J. Sellers	Major	90th Pennsylvania Infantry	July 1, 1863	July 21, 1894	He bravely led his regiment under heavy fire to a position where they pushed back the enemy.
	Sickles, Daniel E.Daniel E. Sickles	Major General	III Corps	July 2, 1863	October 30, 1897	He showed remarkable bravery on the battlefield. He strongly fought against the enemy's advance and kept encouraging his troops even after he was severely wounded.
	Stacey, CharlesCharles Stacey	Private	55th Ohio Infantry	July 2, 1863	June 23, 1896	He bravely took an advanced position to find enemy sharpshooters. He held this position under heavy fire until his company returned to the main line.
	Veazey, Wheelock G.Wheelock G. Veazey	Colonel	16th Vermont Infantry	July 3, 1863	September 8, 1891	He quickly gathered his regiment and charged the enemy's side. He then changed direction under heavy fire and charged again, defeating a Confederate brigade. He did all this with new troops in their first battle.
	Webb, Alexander S.Alexander S. Webb	Brigadier General	Philadelphia Brigade	July 3, 1863	September 28, 1891	He showed outstanding personal bravery by leading his men forward at a very important moment in the battle.
	Wells, WilliamWilliam Wells	Major	1st Vermont Cavalry	July 3, 1863	September 8, 1891	He led the second group of his regiment in a very brave charge.

Images for kids

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  Color Sergeant Benjamin Falls, 19th Massachusetts Infantry.

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  Captain John B. Fassett, 23rd Pennsylvania Infantry.

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  First Sergeant Edward L. Gilligan, 88th Pennsylvania Infantry.

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  Sergeant Wallace W. Johnson, 6th Pennsylvania Reserves.

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  Sergeant George W. Mears, 6th Pennsylvania Reserves.

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  Sergeant James B. Thompson, 1st Pennsylvania Rifles.

See also

• Battle of Gettysburg
• List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients