I watched a ceremony yesterday to award the Medal of Honor to various people (most had lost their lives performing their acts of heroism. Great heroism, I was in astonishment at the things one person could do in a short amount of time to save many lives). The Medal was given to soldiers who lost their lives long before I was born, during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Given how astounding their courage and feats were, I was surprised that it had taken so long for them to be given a medal.
Here I list some of the more interesting names of those who have received the Medal of Honor.
Gurdon - Gurdon H. Barter was a landsman on the USS Minnesota at the second battle of Fort Fisher. He was part of the landing party. January 15, 1865 (he was born about 1843, so he was 22 years old. He died April 22, 1900, just a few years older than I am, at 57.) He had volunteered to serve in New York and the USS Minnesota was a steam frigate. Fort Fisher was in North Carolina. The battle occurred under the command of General Alfred Terry and Admiral David Dixon Porter. Gurdon received his medal as did 8 other sailors from the Minnesota. While many others retreated, Gurdon did not and he remained to fight. At nightfall he brought back the wounded, the arms, and the colors (the flag). He received his award promptly, June 22, 1865.
Delevan - Delevan Bates
Wilmon - Wilmon W. Blackmar
Welis - Welis H.Blodgett
Emmer - Emmer Bowen
Luman - Luman L. Cadwell
Ivers - Ivers S. Calkin
Ovila - Ovila Cayer
Hartwell - Hartwell B. Compson
Trustrim - Trustrim Connell
Freeman - Freeman Davis
Decatur - Decatur Dorsey
Coron - Coron D. Evans
Manning - Manning F. Force
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