Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Sergeant John P. Donaldson received the Medal of Honor for his actions on April 9, 1865 in Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company L, 4th Pennsylvania Cavalry. Donaldson was 22 years old.
18 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on May 3, 1865. He later rose to the rank of Commissary Sergeant.
Donaldson was born on August 14, 1842 in Butler County, Pennsylvania. His Medal of Honor is credited to Butler, Butler County, Pennsylvania. Donaldson died on January 7, 1920 in Dubuque, Iowa, at the age of 77. He is buried at Mars Hill Cemetery in Floris, Iowa.
Donaldson is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 380 credited to Pennsylvania.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Capture of flag of 14th Virginia Cavalry (C.S.A.).
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Pennsylvania →
Timeline
- August 14, 1842Born in Butler County, Pennsylvania
- April 9, 1865Act of valor — Appomattox Courthouse, VirginiaAge 22. Company L, 4th Pennsylvania Cavalry
- May 3, 1865Medal of Honor presented
- January 7, 1920Died in Dubuque, IowaAge 77.
- Resting placeMars Hill CemeteryFloris, Iowa
Biography
John P. Donaldson (August 14, 1842 – January 7, 1920) was an American soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Donaldson received the United States' highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action during the Battle of Appomattox Courthouse in Virginia on April 9, 1865. He was honored with the award on May 3, 1865.
From the Wikipedia article “John P. Donaldson”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
