Years of service 1861 - 1899 Died October 5, 1920 Battles/wars American Civil War Awards Medal of Honor | Name John Patterson Role Medal of Honor Rank Brigadier general | |
 | ||
Born February 10, 1843
Selkirk, New York ( 1843-02-10 ) Allegiance United States of America
Union Place of burial Albany Rural Cemetery, Colonie, New York, United States Service/branch United States Army, Union Army | ||
Battles and wars American Civil War | ||
John Henry Patterson (February 10, 1843 – October 5, 1920) was a Union officer during the American Civil War and a recipient of the Medal of Honor for courage under fire at the Battle of the Wilderness.
Contents
Biography
Patterson was born in Selkirk, New York and was commissioned as a First Lieutenant in the newly created 11th Infantry Regiment in May 1861. On May 5, 1864, under heavy fire from Confederate forces, Patterson left cover to rescue a wounded officer, who was in danger of both capture and death, as the forest near where he had fallen had caught fire during the battle. Patterson picked up the officer and carried him several hundred yards to safety.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and Organization:
First Lieutenant, 11th U.S. Infantry.Place and date: At Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864. Entered service at: New York. Birth: New York. Date of issue: July 23, 1897.Citation:
Under the heavy fire of the advancing enemy, picked up and carried several hundred yards to a place of safety a wounded officer of his regiment who was helpless and would otherwise have been burned in the forest.References
John Henry Patterson (Medal of Honor) Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA