First Lieutenant Erastus W. Jewett, a soldier in the U.S. Army, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on February 2, 1864 in Newport Barracks, North Carolina during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company A, 9th Vermont Infantry. Jewett was 24 years old.
2 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on September 8, 1891, 27 years after the action.
Jewett was born on April 1, 1839 in St. Albans, Franklin County, Vermont. Jewett died on February 20, 1906, at the age of 66. He is buried at Church Street Cemetery in Swanton, Vermont.
Jewett is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 47 credited to Vermont.
Official Medal of Honor citation
By long and persistent resistance and burning the bridges, Jewett kept a superior force of the enemy at a distance and thus covered the retreat of the garrison.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- April 1, 1839Born in St. Albans, Franklin County, Vermont
- February 2, 1864Act of valor — Newport Barracks, North CarolinaAge 24. Company A, 9th Vermont Infantry
- September 8, 1891Medal of Honor presented
- February 20, 1906DiedAge 66.
- Resting placeChurch Street CemeterySwanton, Vermont
