Private Frederick A. Ballen, a soldier in the U.S. Army, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on May 3, 1863 in Vicksburg, Mississippi during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company B, 47th Ohio Infantry. Ballen was 19 years old.
29 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on November 6, 1908, 45 years after the action.
Ballen was born on August 11, 1843 in Germany — one of 130 recipients born in Germany. His Medal of Honor is credited to Adrian, Lenawee County, Michigan. Ballen died on April 27, 1916 in Exeter Township, Michigan, at the age of 72. He is buried at Carleton Cemetery in Carleton, Michigan.
Ballen is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 112 credited to Michigan.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Was one of a party that volunteered and attempted to run the enemy's batteries with a steam tug and two barges loaded with subsistence stores.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Places
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Timeline
- August 11, 1843Born in Germany
- May 3, 1863Act of valor — Vicksburg, MississippiAge 19. Company B, 47th Ohio Infantry
- November 6, 1908Medal of Honor presented
- April 27, 1916Died in Exeter Township, MichiganAge 72.
- Resting placeCarleton CemeteryCarleton, Michigan
Biography
Frederick A. Ballen (August 11, 1843 – April 27, 1916) was a German soldier who received the Medal of Honor for valor during the American Civil War.
From the Wikipedia article “Frederick Ballen”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
