Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient. He began his Civil War service when he enlisted in the 1st Illinois Volunteer Cavalry, and was mustered in as a Private and Bugler in Company G on April 24, 1861. He would go on to serve at the September 20, 1861 Battle of Lexington, Missouri, where his bravery that day would see him awarded the CMOH. His citation for the award reads "Volunteered to fight in the trenches and also led a charge which resulted in the recapture of a Union hospital, together with Confederate sharpshooters then occupying the same". His Medal was issued to him on March 20, 1896. He was mustered out of the 1st Illinois Cavalry on October 9, 1861, but rejoined the Union war effort the next year, when he received a commission of 1st Lieutenant in Company A, 83rd Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Promoted to Captain and commander of the company on February 3, 1863, he served through the end of the war, and was honorably mustered out on June 26, 1865 at Nashville, Tennessee. On January 22, 1867 he enlisted in the Regular Army, and was commissioned as a 1st Lieutenant in the 27th United States Infantry. Transferred to the 16th United States Infantry on December 15, 1870, he received a promotion to Captain on March 20, 1885. Promoted once more to Major, 4th United States Infantry on January 11, 1899, he was retired on February 27, 1899. His son, Bruce Palmer Sr,, served in the United States Army, rising to Brigadier General. His grandson, Bruce Palmer Jr, also served in the United States Army, rising to four-star General, and serving in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.
Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient. He began his Civil War service when he enlisted in the 1st Illinois Volunteer Cavalry, and was mustered in as a Private and Bugler in Company G on April 24, 1861. He would go on to serve at the September 20, 1861 Battle of Lexington, Missouri, where his bravery that day would see him awarded the CMOH. His citation for the award reads "Volunteered to fight in the trenches and also led a charge which resulted in the recapture of a Union hospital, together with Confederate sharpshooters then occupying the same". His Medal was issued to him on March 20, 1896. He was mustered out of the 1st Illinois Cavalry on October 9, 1861, but rejoined the Union war effort the next year, when he received a commission of 1st Lieutenant in Company A, 83rd Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Promoted to Captain and commander of the company on February 3, 1863, he served through the end of the war, and was honorably mustered out on June 26, 1865 at Nashville, Tennessee. On January 22, 1867 he enlisted in the Regular Army, and was commissioned as a 1st Lieutenant in the 27th United States Infantry. Transferred to the 16th United States Infantry on December 15, 1870, he received a promotion to Captain on March 20, 1885. Promoted once more to Major, 4th United States Infantry on January 11, 1899, he was retired on February 27, 1899. His son, Bruce Palmer Sr,, served in the United States Army, rising to Brigadier General. His grandson, Bruce Palmer Jr, also served in the United States Army, rising to four-star General, and serving in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.
Bio by: RPD2
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