Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Private Frederick Alber received the Medal of Honor for his actions on May 12, 1864 in Spotsylvania, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company A, 17th Michigan Infantry. Alber was 25 years old.
34 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on July 30, 1896, 32 years after the action.
Alber was born on June 28, 1838 in Germany — one of 130 recipients born in Germany. His Medal of Honor is credited to Manchester, Washtenaw County, Michigan. Alber died on September 12, 1913 in Elba, Michigan, at the age of 75. He is buried at City Cemetery in Columbiaville, Michigan.
Alber 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
Bravely rescued Lt. Charles H. Todd of his regiment who had been captured by a party of Confederates by shooting down one, knocking over another with the butt of his musket, and taking them both prisoners.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: American Civil War.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Michigan →
Timeline
- June 28, 1838Born in Germany
- May 12, 1864Act of valor — Spotsylvania, VirginiaAge 25. Company A, 17th Michigan Infantry
- July 30, 1896Medal of Honor presented
- September 12, 1913Died in Elba, MichiganAge 75.
- Resting placeCity CemeteryColumbiaville, Michigan
Biography
Frederick Alber (June 28, 1838 – September 12, 1913) was a United States soldier who fought for the Union Army as a member of Company A, 17th Michigan Infantry during the American Civil War. He was awarded his nation's highest military honor, the U.S. Medal of Honor, on July 30, 1896, for valor during the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House in 1864.
From the Wikipedia article “Frederick Alber”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
