Sergeant John William Menter was a soldier in the U.S. Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on April 6, 1865 at Deatonsville (Sailor's Creek), Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company D, 5th Michigan Infantry. Menter was 24 years old.
59 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on May 10, 1865.
Menter was born on September 7, 1840 in Palmer, Saratoga County, New York. His Medal of Honor is credited to Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan. Menter died on April 18, 1925 in Ovid, Michigan, at the age of 84. He is buried at Franklin Cemetery in Franklin, Michigan.
Menter is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 112 credited to Michigan.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Capture of flag.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- September 7, 1840Born in Palmer, Saratoga County, New York
- April 6, 1865Act of valor — Deatonsville (Sailor's Creek), VirginiaAge 24. Company D, 5th Michigan Infantry
- May 10, 1865Medal of Honor presented
- April 18, 1925Died in Ovid, MichiganAge 84.
- Resting placeFranklin CemeteryFranklin, Michigan






