Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Private Henry Jeremiah Parks received the Medal of Honor for his actions on October 19, 1864 at Cedar Creek, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company A, 9th New York Cavalry. Parks was 16 years old.
18 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on October 26, 1864. He later rose to the rank of Captain.
Parks was born on February 24, 1848 in Orangeville, Wyoming County, New York. Parks died on October 19, 1927 in San Diego, California, at the age of 79. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
Parks is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 678 credited to New York.
Official Medal of Honor citation
While alone and in advance of his unit and attempting to cut off the retreat of a supply wagon, he fought and sent to flight a Confederate color bearer. After capturing the color bearer and leaving him in the rear, he returned to the front and captured three more wagons and drivers.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: American Civil War, Spanish–American War.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New York →
Timeline
- February 24, 1848Born in Orangeville, Wyoming County, New York
- October 19, 1864Act of valor — Cedar Creek, VirginiaAge 16. Company A, 9th New York Cavalry
- October 26, 1864Medal of Honor presented
- October 19, 1927Died in San Diego, CaliforniaAge 79.
- Resting placeArlington National CemeteryArlington, Virginia
Biography
Harry Jeremiah Parks (February 24, 1848 – October 19, 1927) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the American Civil War.
From the Wikipedia article “Harry Jeremiah Parks”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
