Major John Curtis Gilmore, a soldier in the U.S. Army, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on May 3, 1863 at Salem Heights, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with 16th New York Infantry. Gilmore was 26 years old.
29 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on October 10, 1892, 29 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Brigadier General USA.
Gilmore was born on April 18, 1837 in Canada — one of 60 recipients born in Canada. His Medal of Honor is credited to Potsdam, St. Lawrence County, New York. Gilmore died on December 22, 1922 in Bethesda (Walter Reed), Maryland, at the age of 85. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
Gilmore 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
Seized the colors of his regiment and gallantly rallied his men under a very severe fire.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Places
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Timeline
- April 18, 1837Born in Canada
- May 3, 1863Act of valor — Salem Heights, VirginiaAge 26. 16th New York Infantry
- October 10, 1892Medal of Honor presented
- December 22, 1922Died in Bethesda (Walter Reed), MarylandAge 85.
- Resting placeArlington National CemeteryArlington, Virginia
Biography
John Curtis Gilmore (April 18, 1837 – December 22, 1922) was an American soldier who fought in the American Civil War. He received the United States' highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor. Gilmore's medal was won for capturing the flag and rallying the spirits of the troops under his command during the Second Battle of Fredericksburg on May 3, 1863. He was honored with the award on October 10, 1892.
From the Wikipedia article “John C. Gilmore”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
