Major & Aide-de-Camp John Whedon Steele was a soldier in the U.S. Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on November 29, 1864 at Spring Hill, Tennessee during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with U.S. Volunteers. Steele was 28 years old.
The medal was presented on September 28, 1897, 32 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Steele was born on December 21, 1835 in Middleburg, Logan County, Ohio. His Medal of Honor is credited to Oberlin, Lorain County, Ohio. Steele died on April 26, 1905 in Oberlin, Ohio, at the age of 69. He is buried at Westwood Cemetery in Oberlin, Ohio.
Steele is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 256 credited to Ohio.
Official Medal of Honor citation
During a night attack of the enemy upon the wagon and ammunition train of this officer's corps, he gathered up a force of stragglers and others, assumed command of it, though himself a staff officer, and attacked and dispersed the enemy's forces, thus saving the train.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- December 21, 1835Born in Middleburg, Logan County, Ohio
- November 29, 1864Act of valor — Spring Hill, TennesseeAge 28. U.S. Volunteers
- September 28, 1897Medal of Honor presented
- April 26, 1905Died in Oberlin, OhioAge 69.
- Resting placeWestwood CemeteryOberlin, Ohio
