Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient. He served as a Corporal in the Union Army in the 55th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for action on November 30, 1864 at Honey Hills, SC. The medal was issued over 136 years later on January 16, 2000 by Pres. William Clinton. His citation reads in part "Forced into a narrow gorge crossing a swamp in the face of the enemy position, the 55th's Color-Sergeant was killed by an exploding shell, and Corporal Smith took the Regimental Colors from his hand and carried them through heavy grape and canister fire. Although half of the officers and a third of the enlisted men engaged in the fight were killed or wounded, Corporal Smith continued to expose himself to enemy fire by carrying the colors throughout the battle." Later he was promoted to color sergeant.
Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient. He served as a Corporal in the Union Army in the 55th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for action on November 30, 1864 at Honey Hills, SC. The medal was issued over 136 years later on January 16, 2000 by Pres. William Clinton. His citation reads in part "Forced into a narrow gorge crossing a swamp in the face of the enemy position, the 55th's Color-Sergeant was killed by an exploding shell, and Corporal Smith took the Regimental Colors from his hand and carried them through heavy grape and canister fire. Although half of the officers and a third of the enlisted men engaged in the fight were killed or wounded, Corporal Smith continued to expose himself to enemy fire by carrying the colors throughout the battle." Later he was promoted to color sergeant.
Bio by: Don Morfe
Family Members
Advertisement
See more Smith memorials in:
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
