Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Captain George Wilhelm received the Medal of Honor for his actions on May 16, 1863 at Champion Hill or Baker's Creek, Mississippi during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company F, 56th Ohio Infantry. Wilhelm was 34 years old.
One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on November 17, 1887, 24 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Wilhelm was born on April 2, 1829 in Scioto County, Ohio. His Medal of Honor is credited to Lancaster, Fairfield County, Ohio. Wilhelm died on August 20, 1920 in Dayton, Ohio, at the age of 91. He is buried at Greenville Cemetery in Greenville, Mississippi.
Wilhelm is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 256 credited to Ohio.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Having been badly wounded in the breast and captured, he made a prisoner of his captor and brought him into camp.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: American Civil War.
Places
Timeline
- April 2, 1829Born in Scioto County, Ohio
- May 16, 1863Act of valor — Champion Hill or Baker's Creek, MississippiAge 34. Company F, 56th Ohio Infantry
- November 17, 1887Medal of Honor presented
- August 20, 1920Died in Dayton, OhioAge 91.
- Resting placeGreenville CemeteryGreenville, Mississippi
Biography
George Wilhelm (April 2, 1829 – August 20, 1920) was an American recipient of the Medal of Honor who fought in the American Civil War.
From the Wikipedia article “George Wilhelm”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
Further reading
- George Wilhelm: Captive Turned Captorcmohs.org · 2024
