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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Private · U.S. Army

John S. Donelly

Private John S. Donelly, Army, received the Medal of Honor for actions on October 21, 1876 at Cedar Creek, etc., Montana during the Indian Campaigns.

Indian Campaigns October 21, 1876Born in Ireland

Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Private John S. Donelly received the Medal of Honor for his actions on October 21, 1876 at Cedar Creek, etc., Montana during the Indian Campaigns. At the time he was serving with Company G, 5th U.S. Infantry. Donelly was about 26 years old.

29 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on April 27, 1877.

Donelly was born in 1850 in County Kerry, Ireland — one of 258 recipients born in Ireland. His Medal of Honor is credited to Jersey City, Hudson County, New Jersey. Records also list him as Donnelly, John S..

Donelly is one of 426 Medal of Honor recipients from the Indian Campaigns and one of 93 credited to New Jersey.

Official Medal of Honor citation

Gallantry in action.

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

Timeline

  1. 1850
    Born in County Kerry, Ireland
  2. October 21, 1876
    Act of valor — Cedar Creek, etc., Montana
    Age about 26. Company G, 5th U.S. Infantry
  3. April 27, 1877
    Medal of Honor presented

Also honored for actions on October 21, 1876

JB John Baker Musician · Army Indian Campaigns · 1876 RB Richard Burke Private · Army Indian Campaigns · 1876 DB Denis Byrne Sergeant · Army Indian Campaigns · 1876 JC Joseph A. Cable Private · Army Indian Campaigns · 1876 JC James Spencer Calvert Private · Army Indian Campaigns · 1876 AC Aquilla Coonrod Sergeant · Army Indian Campaigns · 1876 CF Christopher Freemeyer Private · Army Indian Campaigns · 1876 JH John Haddoo Corporal · Army Indian Campaigns · 1876 HH Henry Hogan Private · Army Indian Campaigns · 1876 DH David Holland Corporal · Army Indian Campaigns · 1876 EJ Edward Johnston Corporal · Army Indian Campaigns · 1876 PK Philip Kennedy Private · Army Indian Campaigns · 1876

See all 30 recipients for October 21, 1876 →

Same unit

HH Henry Hogan First Sergeant · Army Indian Campaigns · 1877

More Indian Campaigns recipients from New Jersey

Henry Remsen Tilton Major and Surgeon · Army Indian Campaigns · 1877 TS Thomas Sullivan Private · Army Indian Campaigns · 1890 CH Charles Pettit Heath Heyl Second Lieutenant · Army Indian Campaigns · 1876
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.