Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient. He enlisted after the outbreak of the Civil War, and was mustered in at age 18 as a private in Company D, 3rd New York Volunteer Cavalry (which was first called "VanAlen's Cavalry", having been recruited and outfitted entirely by their first colonel, James Van Alen). He served the entire duration of the war, rising from private to receiving a commission of 2nd Lieutenant. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery while a sergeant in Company D along the Trent River at Trenton, North Carolina, west of New Berne on May 15, 1862. Elements of his regiment had made three futile charges against a Confederate position, and were positioned for another when they were ordered to retire. As the order was being followed, a man from his company was shot from his mount, fell severely wounded and was rapidly being left behind. John Kenyon's commanding officer called for someone to rescue him, and the 19-year-old trooper turned and galloped to the fallen soldier's aid. While under fire from the Confederates, he dismounted, hoisted the wounded man onto his horse, and ran beside him, using his body as a shield until he came to his unit, which had retreated a considerable distance by that time. His citation for this reads simply "Voluntarily left a retiring column, returned in face of the enemy's fire, helped a wounded man upon a horse, and so enable him to escape capture or death". He was mustered out of the service with the rest of his regiment on July 12, 1865. He was awarded the Medal of Honor on September 28, 1897 after vigorous lobbying by his comrades who had witnessed his deed and strongly felt he deserved the award.
Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient. He enlisted after the outbreak of the Civil War, and was mustered in at age 18 as a private in Company D, 3rd New York Volunteer Cavalry (which was first called "VanAlen's Cavalry", having been recruited and outfitted entirely by their first colonel, James Van Alen). He served the entire duration of the war, rising from private to receiving a commission of 2nd Lieutenant. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery while a sergeant in Company D along the Trent River at Trenton, North Carolina, west of New Berne on May 15, 1862. Elements of his regiment had made three futile charges against a Confederate position, and were positioned for another when they were ordered to retire. As the order was being followed, a man from his company was shot from his mount, fell severely wounded and was rapidly being left behind. John Kenyon's commanding officer called for someone to rescue him, and the 19-year-old trooper turned and galloped to the fallen soldier's aid. While under fire from the Confederates, he dismounted, hoisted the wounded man onto his horse, and ran beside him, using his body as a shield until he came to his unit, which had retreated a considerable distance by that time. His citation for this reads simply "Voluntarily left a retiring column, returned in face of the enemy's fire, helped a wounded man upon a horse, and so enable him to escape capture or death". He was mustered out of the service with the rest of his regiment on July 12, 1865. He was awarded the Medal of Honor on September 28, 1897 after vigorous lobbying by his comrades who had witnessed his deed and strongly felt he deserved the award.
Bio by: RPD2
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