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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Private · U.S. Army

Henry G. Costin

Private Henry G. Costin, Army, received the Medal of Honor posthumously for actions on October 8, 1918 near Bois-de-Consenvoye, France during World War I.

World War I October 8, 1918Posthumous

Private Henry G. Costin, a soldier in the U.S. Army, was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for gallantry on October 8, 1918 near Bois-de-Consenvoye, France during World War I. At the time he was serving with Company H, 115th Infantry, 29th Division. Costin was 20 years old.

Costin was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded. 12 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day.

Costin was born on June 15, 1898 in Baltimore, Baltimore County, Maryland. He is buried at Loudon Park National Cemetery in Baltimore, Maryland.

Costin is one of 132 Medal of Honor recipients from World War I and one of 85 credited to Maryland.

★ Gave Their Lives

Official Medal of Honor citation

When the advance of his platoon had been held up by machine-gun fire and a request was made for an automatic rifle team to charge the nest, Pvt. Costin was the first to volunteer. Advancing with his team, under terrific fire of enemy artillery, machine guns, and trench mortars, he continued after all his comrades had become casualties and he himself had been seriously wounded. He operated his rifle until he collapsed. His act resulted in the capture of about 100 prisoners and several machine guns. He succumbed to the effects of his wounds shortly after the accomplishment of his heroic deed.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Wounds and death in action

  • Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (October 8, 1918).
  • Age at death: 20
  • Resting place: Loudon Park National Cemetery

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: World War I.

Life beyond the battlefield

Source: Wikidata.

Places

  • Born: Baltimore — map
  • Died: Bois de Consenvoye — map
  • Buried: Loudon Park National Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Maryland →

Timeline

  1. June 15, 1898
    Born in Baltimore, Baltimore County, Maryland
  2. October 8, 1918
    Act of valor — near Bois-de-Consenvoye, France
    Age 20. Company H, 115th Infantry, 29th Division Killed in action.
  3. Resting place
    Loudon Park National Cemetery
    Baltimore, Maryland

Biography

Henry Gilbert Costin (June 15, 1898 – October 8, 1918) was a private in the United States Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions in World War I near Bois–de–Consenvoye, France during the Meuse–Argonne offensive.

From the Wikipedia article “Henry Gilbert Costin”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Also honored for actions on October 8, 1918

Johannes Seigfried Anderson First Sergeant · Army World War I · 1918 James C. Dozier First Lieutenant · Army World War I · 1918 GF Gary Evans Foster Sergeant · Army World War I · 1918 EG Earl D. Gregory Sergeant · Army World War I · 1918 TH Thomas Lee Hall Sergeant · Army World War I · 1918 ✦ JK James Ernest Karnes Sergeant · Army World War I · 1918 PR Patrick J. Regan Second Lieutenant · Army World War I · 1918 SS Samuel Major Sampler Corporal · Army World War I · 1918 Clayton Kirk Slack Private · Army World War I · 1918 Harold Leo Turner Corporal · Army World War I · 1918 CW Calvin John Ward Private · Army World War I · 1918 Alvin Cullium York Corporal · Army World War I · 1918

More World War I recipients from Maryland

Charles Hazeltine Hammann Ensign · Navy World War I · 1918
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.