Private Byron E. Pay, a soldier in the U.S. Army, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on February 15, 1863 in Nolensville, Tennessee during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company H, 2d Minnesota Infantry. Pay was 18 years old.
7 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on September 11, 1897, 34 years after the action.
Pay was born on October 21, 1844 in LeRoy Township, Jefferson County, New York. His Medal of Honor is credited to Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minnesota. Pay died on February 19, 1906 in Volga, South Dakota, at the age of 61. He is buried at Arlington City Cemetery in Arlington, South Dakota.
Pay is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 45 credited to Minnesota.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Was one of a detachment of 16 men who heroically defended a wagon train against the attack of 125 cavalry, repulsed the attack, and saved the train.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- October 21, 1844Born in LeRoy Township, Jefferson County, New York
- February 15, 1863Act of valor — Nolensville, TennesseeAge 18. Company H, 2d Minnesota Infantry
- September 11, 1897Medal of Honor presented
- February 19, 1906Died in Volga, South DakotaAge 61.
- Resting placeArlington City CemeteryArlington, South Dakota
