Veteran in crisis? Dial 988 then press 1 · Text 838255 Next observance: Navy Birthday · October 13
Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Major · U.S. Army

John Mcallister Schofield

Major John Mcallister Schofield, Army, received the Medal of Honor for actions on August 10, 1861 at Wilson's Creek, Missouri during the Civil War.

U.S. Civil War August 10, 1861

Major John Mcallister Schofield, a soldier in the U.S. Army, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on August 10, 1861 at Wilson's Creek, Missouri during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with 1st Missouri Infantry. Schofield was 29 years old.

4 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on July 2, 1892, 30 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Lieutenant General.

Schofield was born on September 29, 1831 in Gerry, Chautauqua County, New York. His Medal of Honor is credited to Freeport, Stephenson County, Illinois. Schofield died on March 4, 1906 in St. Augustine, Florida, at the age of 74. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

Schofield is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 210 credited to Illinois.

Official Medal of Honor citation

Was conspicuously gallant in leading a regiment in a successful charge against the enemy.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: American Civil War.

Life beyond the battlefield

Source: Wikidata.

Places

  • Born: Gerry — map
  • Died: St. Augustine — map
  • Buried: Arlington National Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Illinois →

Timeline

  1. September 29, 1831
    Born in Gerry, Chautauqua County, New York
  2. August 10, 1861
    Act of valor — Wilson's Creek, Missouri
    Age 29. 1st Missouri Infantry
  3. July 2, 1892
    Medal of Honor presented
  4. March 4, 1906
    Died in St. Augustine, Florida
    Age 74.
  5. Resting place
    Arlington National Cemetery
    Arlington, Virginia

Biography

John McAllister Schofield (; September 29, 1831 – March 4, 1906) was an American soldier who held major commands during the American Civil War. He was appointed U.S. Secretary of War (1868–1869) under President Andrew Johnson and later served as Commanding General of the United States Army (1888–1895).

From the Wikipedia article “John Schofield”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Named in his honor

  • Schofield Peak — mountain

Also honored for actions on August 10, 1861

Nicholas S. Bouquet Private · Army Civil War · 1861 Lorenzo Dow Immell Corporal · Army Civil War · 1861 William Macky Wherry First Lieutenant · Army Civil War · 1861 Henry Clay Wood First Lieutenant · Army Civil War · 1861

More Civil War recipients from Illinois

John Charles Black Lieutenant Colonel · Army Civil War · 1862 George Henry Palmer Musician · Army Civil War · 1861 TH Theodore Hyatt First Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1863 James Smith Cunningham Private · Army Civil War · 1863 JA John G. k Ayers Private · Army Civil War · 1863 John H. Ferrell Pilot · Navy Civil War · 1864
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.