Corporal John Gideon Palmer was a soldier in the U.S. Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on December 13, 1862 in Fredericksburg, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company F, 21st Connecticut Infantry. Palmer was 17 years old.
17 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on October 30, 1896, 33 years after the action.
Palmer was born on October 14, 1845 in Montville, New London County, Connecticut. Palmer died on November 17, 1901 in New Haven, Connecticut, at the age of 56. He is buried at Indian Hill Cemetery in Middletown, Connecticut.
Palmer is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 57 credited to Connecticut.
Official Medal of Honor citation
First of six men who volunteered to assist gunner of a battery upon which the enemy was concentrating its fire, and fought with the battery until the close of the engagement. His commanding officer felt he would never see this man alive again.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- October 14, 1845Born in Montville, New London County, Connecticut
- December 13, 1862Act of valor — Fredericksburg, VirginiaAge 17. Company F, 21st Connecticut Infantry
- October 30, 1896Medal of Honor presented
- November 17, 1901Died in New Haven, ConnecticutAge 56.
- Resting placeIndian Hill CemeteryMiddletown, Connecticut
