Buried at Orting, Washington Died February 25, 1917 Rank Private Name George Houghton | Battles/wars American Civil War Years of service 1862 - 1865 Awards Medal of Honor | |
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Allegiance United States of America Place of burial Orting, Washington, United States | ||
Battles and wars American Civil War Service/branch United States Army | ||
George L. Houghton (August 28, 1841 - February 25, 1917) was an American soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Houghton received his country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor. Houghton's medal was won for his actions at Elk River, Tennessee, where he led a party that saved a bridge, on July 2, 1863. He was honored with the award on March 27, 1900.
Houghton was born in Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia in Canada, and entered service in Brookfield, Illinois. He was buried in Orting, Washington.
Medal of Honor citation
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private George L. Houghton, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 2 July 1863, while serving with Company D, 104th Illinois Infantry, in action at Elk River, Tennessee. Private Hughton voluntarily joined a small party that, under a heavy fire, captured a stockade and saved the bridge.