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The Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor, established by Joint Resolution of Congress, July 12,
1862 (amended by Acts of Congress, July 9, 1918 and July 25, 1963), is
awarded in the name of Congress to a person who, while a member of the
Armed Forces, distinguishes himself or herself conspicuously by gallantry
and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty
while engaged in an action against any enemy of the United States; while
engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign
force; or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed
conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not
a belligerent party. The deed performed must have been one of personal
bravery or self-sacrifice so conspicuous as to clearly distinguish the
individual above his or her comrades and must have involved risk of life.
Incontestable proof of the performance of service is required, and each
recommendation for award of this decoration is considered on the standard
of extraordinary merit. |
Birthplace:
Shuylkill County, PA (1830?)
Date of Death:
July 25, 1897
Place of Death/Burial:
Middle Creek Cemetery, Paulding County,
Ohio
First Enlistment:
08-03-1862
Unit:
Ohio Volunteers Infantry, under
Dennison
Discharged:
01/24/1863, Camp Dennison, Ohio
Second Enlistment:
Date unknown
Conflict:
Indian Campaigns
Branch of Service:
Army
Entered Service:
Detroit, Michigan
Rank & Unit:
Private, Company E, 1st U.S.
Artillery
Place of Action:
Wounded Knee Creek, South Dakota
Date of Action:
December 29, 1890
Accredited to:
Detroit, Michigan
Date of Issue of Medal of Honor:
March 24, 1891
Citation:
Went to the rescue of the commanding officer who had fallen severely
wounded, picked him up, and carried him out of range of the hostile guns.
Eye Witness Account:
"All
of the Indians opened fire on us. One of my men went for ammunition and
didn't come back. ...My captain called to me to come back, but I kept
moving nearer the Indians, and kept shooting. Lieutenant Hawthorne came
toward me and was calling, when suddenly I heard him say: 'Oh, my God!'
Looking around, I saw him lying of his side, and then I knew he had been
hit. Hartzog ran to him and carried him back behind the hill."
[Source: The Congressional Medal of Honor, The
Names, The Deeds. Sharp and Dunnigan Publications, 1984, ISBN
0-918495-01-6.]
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