Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Sergeant John G. Merritt received the Medal of Honor for his actions on July 21, 1861 at Bull Run, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company K, 1st Minnesota Infantry. Merritt was 23 years old.
9 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on April 1, 1880, 18 years after the action.
Merritt was born on October 31, 1837 in New York, New York. His Medal of Honor is credited to Fort Snelling, St. Paul County, Minnesota. Merritt died on December 17, 1892 in Washington, District of Columbia, at the age of 55. He is buried at Congressional Cemetery in Washington, District of Columbia.
Merritt is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 45 credited to Minnesota.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Gallantry in action; was wounded while capturing flag in advance of his regiment.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- October 31, 1837Born in New York, New York
- July 21, 1861Act of valor — Bull Run, VirginiaAge 23. Company K, 1st Minnesota Infantry
- April 1, 1880Medal of Honor presented
- December 17, 1892Died in Washington, District of ColumbiaAge 55.
- Resting placeCongressional CemeteryWashington, District of Columbia
