Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Private Nathaniel Mcclean Gwynne received the Medal of Honor for his actions on July 30, 1864 in Petersburg, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company H, 13th Ohio Cavalry. Gwynne was 15 years old.
21 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on January 27, 1865. He later rose to the rank of Second Lieutenant.
Gwynne was born on July 5, 1849 in Urbana, Champaign County, Ohio. His Medal of Honor is credited to Fairmount, Missouri. Gwynne died on January 6, 1883 in Kansas City, Missouri, at the age of 33. He is buried at Union Cemetery in Kansas City, Missouri.
Gwynne 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
When about entering upon the charge, this soldier, then but 15 years old, was cautioned not to go in, as he had not been mustered. He indignantly protested and participated in the charge, his left arm being crushed by a shell and amputated soon afterward.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and injuries
What the citation records about his wounds:
He indignantly protested and participated in the charge, his left arm being crushed by a shell and amputated soon afterward.
- Age at death: 33
- Resting place: Union Cemetery
Battles and campaigns
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Missouri →
Timeline
- July 5, 1849Born in Urbana, Champaign County, Ohio
- July 30, 1864Act of valor — Petersburg, VirginiaAge 15. Company H, 13th Ohio Cavalry
- January 27, 1865Medal of Honor presented
- January 6, 1883Died in Kansas City, MissouriAge 33.
- Resting placeUnion CemeteryKansas City, Missouri
Biography
Private Nathaniel McClean Gwynne (July 5, 1849 - January 6, 1883) was an American soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Gwynee received his country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor. Gwynne's medal was won for his actions during the Battle of the Crater, part of the Siege of Petersburg. He was honored with the award on January 27, 1865. Gwynee was from Urbana, Ohio, and entered service in Fairmount, Missouri.
From the Wikipedia article “Nathaniel McClean Gwynne”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
