Corporal Benjamin Ham Child was a soldier in the U.S. Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on September 17, 1862 in Antietam, Maryland during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Battery A, 1st Rhode Island Light Artillery. Child was 19 years old.
18 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on July 20, 1897, 34 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Second Lieutenant.
Child was born on May 8, 1843 in Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island. Child died on May 16, 1902, at the age of 59. He is buried at Swan Point Cemetery in Providence, Rhode Island.
Child is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 31 credited to Rhode Island.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Was wounded and taken to the rear, insensible, but when partialy recovered, Child insisted on returning to the battery and resumed command of his piece, so remaining until the close of the battle.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Rhode Island →
Timeline
- May 8, 1843Born in Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island
- September 17, 1862Act of valor — Antietam, MarylandAge 19. Battery A, 1st Rhode Island Light Artillery
- July 20, 1897Medal of Honor presented
- May 16, 1902DiedAge 59.
- Resting placeSwan Point CemeteryProvidence, Rhode Island
Biography
Benjamin Ham Child (May 8, 1843 – May 16, 1902) was an American soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Child received the United States' highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action during the Battle of Antietam in Maryland on 17 September 1862. He was honored with the award on July 20, 1897.
From the Wikipedia article “Benjamin H. Child”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
Further reading
- Continuing Service: Law Enforcement Medal of Honor Recipientscmohs.org · 2022
