Private John Vale was a soldier in the U.S. Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on February 15, 1863 in Nolensville, Tennessee during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company H, 2d Minnesota Infantry. Vale was 26 years old.
7 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on September 11, 1897, 34 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Sergeant.
Vale was born on August 9, 1836 in London, England — one of 98 recipients born in England. His Medal of Honor is credited to Rochester, Olmsted County, Minnesota. Vale died on February 4, 1909 in Davenport, Iowa, at the age of 72. He is buried at Oakdale Cemetery in Davenport, Iowa.
Vale 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
Was one of a detachment of 16 men who heroically defended a wagon train against the attack of 125 cavalry, repulsed the attack and saved the train.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: American Civil War.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Minnesota →
Timeline
- August 9, 1836Born in London, England
- February 15, 1863Act of valor — Nolensville, TennesseeAge 26. Company H, 2d Minnesota Infantry
- September 11, 1897Medal of Honor presented
- February 4, 1909Died in Davenport, IowaAge 72.
- Resting placeOakdale CemeteryDavenport, Iowa
Biography
John Vale (August 9, 1835 – February 4, 1909) was a member of the Union Army during the American Civil War. He received the Medal of Honor in 1897 for his bravery on February 15, 1863, at Nolensville, Tennessee.
From the Wikipedia article “John Vale”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
