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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

First Lieutenant · U.S. Army

John Wainwright

First Lieutenant John Wainwright, Army, received the Medal of Honor for actions on January 15, 1865 at Fort Fisher, North Carolina during the Civil War.

U.S. Civil War January 15, 1865

Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, First Lieutenant John Wainwright received the Medal of Honor for his actions on January 15, 1865 at Fort Fisher, North Carolina during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company F, 97th Pennsylvania Infantry. Wainwright was 25 years old.

30 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on June 24, 1890, 25 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Colonel.

Wainwright was born on July 13, 1839 in Syracuse, Onondaga County, New York. His Medal of Honor is credited to West Chester, Chester County, Pennsylvania. Wainwright died on April 15, 1915 in Wilmington, Delaware, US, at the age of 75. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. His medal is held by National Archives & Records Administration, Washington, DC.

Wainwright is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 380 credited to Pennsylvania.

Official Medal of Honor citation

Gallant and meritorious conduct, where, as first lieutenant, he commanded the regiment.

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

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: American Civil War.

Places

  • Born: Syracuse — map
  • Died: Wilmington — map
  • Buried: Arlington National Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Pennsylvania →

Timeline

  1. July 13, 1839
    Born in Syracuse, Onondaga County, New York
  2. January 15, 1865
    Act of valor — Fort Fisher, North Carolina
    Age 25. Company F, 97th Pennsylvania Infantry
  3. June 24, 1890
    Medal of Honor presented
  4. April 15, 1915
    Died in Wilmington, Delaware, US
    Age 75.
  5. Resting place
    Arlington National Cemetery
    Arlington, Virginia

Biography

John Wainwright (July 13, 1839 – April 15, 1915) was a United States military officer during the American Civil War. A native of Syracuse, New York, he was awarded his nation's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his "gallant and meritorious conduct" while serving in the Union Army as a first lieutenant with the 97th Pennsylvania Infantry during the Second Battle of Fort Fisher, North Carolina on January 15, 1865.

From the Wikipedia article “John Wainwright (soldier)”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Also honored for actions on January 15, 1865

BA Bruce Anderson Private · Army Civil War · 1865 GB Gurdon H. Barter Landsman · Navy Civil War · 1865 DB David L. Bass Seaman · Navy Civil War · 1865 PB Philip Bazaar Ordinary Seaman · Navy Civil War · 1865 AB Albert Burton Seaman · Navy Civil War · 1865 Alaric B. Chapin Private · Army Civil War · 1865 TC Thomas Connor Ordinary Seaman · Navy Civil War · 1865 Newton Martin Curtis Brigadier General · Army Civil War · 1865 William Henry Freeman Private · Army Civil War · 1865 JG John Griffiths Captain of the Forecastle · Navy Civil War · 1865 TH Thomas Harcourt Ordinary Seaman · Navy Civil War · 1865 TK Thomas Kane Captain of the Hold · Navy Civil War · 1865

See all 31 recipients for January 15, 1865 →

Same unit

Dewitt Clinton Lewis Captain · Army Civil War · 1862

More Civil War recipients from Pennsylvania

FB Francis A. Bishop Private · Army Civil War · 1864 PW Peter Williams Seaman · Navy Civil War · 1862 HH Henry Hill Corporal · Army Civil War · 1864 WD William Doolen Coal Heaver · Navy Civil War · 1864 JL John Lafferty Fireman · Navy Civil War · 1864 MM Michael McKeever Private · Army Civil War · 1863
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.