George William Schmal

For years, a gravesite in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo, New York, was believed to hold the mortal remains of Medal of Honor Recipient George W. Schmal. In fact, an official headstone was installed in 1994 stating that it was the grave of the Medal of Honor Recipient.

However, further research indicates that the veteran buried at Forest Lawn served in the 8th New York Cavalry from April 1865 to July 1865. He was around 5 foot, 4 1/4 inches tall, and worked as a moulder. He also spelled and signed his last name as "Schmahl."

The man who received the Medal of Honor served in the 24th New York Cavalry from December 1863 to June 1865. According to his enlistment papers, he was 5 foot, 9 inches tall and worked as a blacksmith. He also spelled and signed his last name as "Schmal."

This information means that the George Schmahl buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery cannot be the same man who received the Medal of Honor: He spelled and signed his name differently, was several inches shorter, had a different occupation, and was serving in a different unit at the same time the Medal of Honor Recipient was serving. In addition, the signatures on their enlistment records are not the same.

The Medal of Honor Recipient George W. Schmal was interred in a mass grave in Stockton, California, when his previous burial ground he was closed.

This new information does not dishonor either man's military service, but does illustrate how important historical research can bring new information to light.