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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Second Lieutenant · U.S. Army

Edward John McClernand

Second Lieutenant Edward John McClernand, Army, received the Medal of Honor for actions on September 30, 1877 at Bear Paw Mountain, Montana during the Indian Campaigns.

Indian Campaigns September 30, 1877

Second Lieutenant Edward John McClernand was a soldier in the U.S. Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on September 30, 1877 at Bear Paw Mountain, Montana during the Indian Campaigns. At the time he was serving with 2d U.S. Cavalry. McClernand was 28 years old.

8 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on November 27, 1894, 17 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Brigadier General.

McClernand was born on December 29, 1848 in Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois. His Medal of Honor is credited to Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois. McClernand died on February 9, 1926 in Washington, District of Columbia, at the age of 77. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

McClernand is one of 426 Medal of Honor recipients from the Indian Campaigns and one of 210 credited to Illinois.

Official Medal of Honor citation

Gallantly attacked a band of hostiles and conducted the combat with excellent skill and boldness.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Timeline

  1. December 29, 1848
    Born in Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois
  2. September 30, 1877
    Act of valor — Bear Paw Mountain, Montana
    Age 28. 2d U.S. Cavalry
  3. November 27, 1894
    Medal of Honor presented
  4. February 9, 1926
    Died in Washington, District of Columbia
    Age 77.
  5. Resting place
    Arlington National Cemetery
    Arlington, Virginia

Also honored for actions on September 30, 1877

George William Baird First Lieutenant, Adjutant · Army Indian Campaigns · 1877 Mason Carter First Lieutenant · Army Indian Campaigns · 1877 Edward Settle Godfrey Captain · Army Indian Campaigns · 1877 HH Henry Hogan First Sergeant · Army Indian Campaigns · 1877 Oscar Fitzalan Long Second Lieutenant · Army Indian Campaigns · 1877 Myles Moylan Captain · Army Indian Campaigns · 1877 Henry Romeyn First Lieutenant · Army Indian Campaigns · 1877 Henry Remsen Tilton Major and Surgeon · Army Indian Campaigns · 1877

Same unit

Lloyd Milton Brett Second Lieutenant · Army Indian Campaigns · 1880 Eli Lundy Huggins Captain · Army Indian Campaigns · 1880 TR Theophilus Francis Rodenbough Captain · Army Civil War · 1864 Charles Henry Tompkins First Lieutenant · Army Civil War · 1861

More Indian Campaigns recipients from Illinois

JM James McDonald Corporal · Army Indian Campaigns · 1868 ES Elmer A. Snow Trumpeter · Army Indian Campaigns · 1876 PK Philip Kennedy Private · Army Indian Campaigns · 1876 JM John Mitchell First Sergeant · Army Indian Campaigns · 1874 TC Thomas Carroll Private · Army Indian Campaigns · 1868 JT John Thompson Sergeant · Army Indian Campaigns · 1869
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.