Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Private Joseph M. Pesch received the Medal of Honor for his actions between April 28 and 29, 1863 in Grand Gulf, Mississippi during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Battery A, 1st Missouri Light Artillery. Pesch was 27 years old.
2 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on March 10, 1896, 32 years after the action.
Pesch was born on July 18, 1835 in Grossleiton, Germany (Prussia) — one of 130 recipients born in Germany. His Medal of Honor is credited to St. Louis, St. Louis County, Missouri. Pesch died on October 11, 1903, at the age of 68. He is buried at Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri. His medal is held by Wilson's Creek Battlefield Museum (NPS), Republic, MO.
Pesch is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 78 credited to Missouri.
Official Medal of Honor citation
With two comrades voluntarily took position on board the steamer Cheeseman, in charge of all the guns and ammunition of the battery, and remained in charge of the same, although the steamer became unmanageable and was exposed for some time to a heavy fire from the enemy.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- July 18, 1835Born in Grossleiton, Germany (Prussia)
- April 28 - 29, 1863Act of valor — Grand Gulf, MississippiAge 27. Battery A, 1st Missouri Light Artillery
- March 10, 1896Medal of Honor presented
- October 11, 1903DiedAge 68.
- Resting placeBellefontaine CemeterySt. Louis, Missouri
