Sergeant Henry W. Downs, a soldier in the U.S. Army, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on September 19, 1864 in Winchester, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company I, 8th Vermont Infantry. Downs was 20 years old.
14 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on December 13, 1893, 29 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Second Lieutenant.
Downs was born on August 29, 1844 in Jamaica, Windham County, Vermont. His Medal of Honor is credited to Newfane, Windham County, Vermont. Downs died on July 2, 1911 in Dayton, Ohio, at the age of 66. He is buried at Dayton National Cemetery in Dayton, Ohio.
Downs is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 47 credited to Vermont.
Official Medal of Honor citation
With one comrade, voluntarily crossed an open field, exposed to a raking fire, and returned with a supply of ammunition, successfully repeating the attempt a short time thereafter.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: American Civil War.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Vermont →
Timeline
- August 29, 1844Born in Jamaica, Windham County, Vermont
- September 19, 1864Act of valor — Winchester, VirginiaAge 20. Company I, 8th Vermont Infantry
- December 13, 1893Medal of Honor presented
- July 2, 1911Died in Dayton, OhioAge 66.
- Resting placeDayton National CemeteryDayton, Ohio
Biography
Henry W. Downs (August 29, 1844 – July 2, 1911) was a Union Army soldier serving in the 8th Vermont Volunteer Infantry Regiment during the American Civil War. He received the Medal of Honor for gallantry during the Battle of Opequon more commonly called the Third Battle of Winchester, Virginia on September 19, 1864. He is buried at Dayton National Cemetery in Dayton, Ohio.
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