HOW CPL. SAMUEL J. CHURCHILL

EARNED THE MEDAL OF HONOR

 

Cpl. Samuel J. Churchill was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1897 for his actions at the Battle of Nashville, December 15, 1864. While the men of his detachment sought shelter from an enemy barrage, Churchill "stood manfully at his post," singlehandedly loading and firing 11 rounds from his cannon before help arrived. An impressive task for any man, this action is particularly remarkable when one considers that a fully staffed Civil War artillery piece had a crew of 8 men to conduct loading, aiming, and firing procedures.

Read more about Churchill's heroic actions through the links below.

HIS STORY, IN HIS WORDS

OFFICIAL ARMY CITATION

AWARD LETTER FROM THE WAR DEPARTMENT

THE COMRADE WHO CAME TO HIS ASSISTANCE

PHOTOGRAPH OF THE MEDAL AWARDED TO CHURCHILL

LINK TO THE CPL. SAMUEL J. CHURCHILL U.S. ARMY RESERVE CENTER, LAWRENCE, KANSAS

READ MORE ABOUT THE MEDAL OF HONOR AT THESE SITES:

-HISTORY OF THE MEDAL OF HONOR

-LIST OF MEDAL OF HONOR WINNERS, ALL WARS

-LIST OF MEDAL OF HONOR WINNERS, CIVIL WAR, A-L

-LIST OF MEDAL OF HONOR WINNERS, CIVIL WAR, M-Z

-LIST OF MEDAL OF HONOR WINNERS, ILLINOIS

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This page updated on: March 31, 2001
Created: September 17, 1999