Awards Medal of Honor Rank Major | Award Medal of Honor | |
Buried at Oakridge Cemetery, Goshen, Indiana Allegiance United States of America Service/branch United States Army
Union Army Battles/wars Battle of Missionary Ridge Died 12 November 1901, Goshen, Indiana, United States Battles and wars Battle of Missionary Ridge | ||
Ruel Milton Johnson (June 5, 1843 – November 12, 1901) was an American soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Johnson received his country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor. Johnson's medal was won for his heroism at the Battle of Missionary Ridge on November 25, 1863 as part of the Chattanooga Campaign. He was honored with the award on August 24, 1896. Johnson later worked as a lawyer, and died in Goshen, Indiana, in 1901.
Johnson was born in Harborcreek Township in Erie County, Pennsylvania, and graduated from the University of Michigan in 1858.
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 Major Ruel M. Johnson, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 25 November 1863, while serving with 100th Indiana Infantry, in action at Chattanooga, Tennessee. While in command of the regiment Major Johnson bravely exposed himself to the fire of the enemy, encouraging and cheering his men.