Private John Wade McDonald, a soldier in the U.S. Army, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on April 6, 1862 at Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company E, 20th Illinois Infantry. McDonald was 18 years old.
3 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on August 27, 1900, 38 years after the action.
McDonald was born on September 10, 1843 in Lancaster, Fairfield County, Ohio. His Medal of Honor is credited to Waynesville, DeWitt County, Illinois. McDonald died on July 27, 1910 in San Diego, California, at the age of 66. He is buried at Greenwood Memorial Park in San Diego, California.
McDonald 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 severely wounded while endeavoring, at the risk of his life, to carry to a place of safety a wounded and helpless comrade.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- September 10, 1843Born in Lancaster, Fairfield County, Ohio
- April 6, 1862Act of valor — Pittsburg Landing, TennesseeAge 18. Company E, 20th Illinois Infantry
- August 27, 1900Medal of Honor presented
- July 27, 1910Died in San Diego, CaliforniaAge 66.
- Resting placeGreenwood Memorial ParkSan Diego, California
