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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Corporal · U.S. Army

Orlando Phidelio Boss

Corporal Orlando Phidelio Boss, Army, received the Medal of Honor for actions on June 3, 1864 at Cold Harbor, Virginia during the Civil War.

U.S. Civil War June 3, 1864

Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Corporal Orlando Phidelio Boss received the Medal of Honor for his actions on June 3, 1864 at Cold Harbor, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company F, 25th Massachusetts Infantry. Boss was 19 years old.

5 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on May 10, 1888, 23 years after the action.

Boss was born on July 30, 1844 in Fitchburg, Worcester County, Massachusetts. Boss died on December 28, 1931, at the age of 87. He is buried at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. His medal is held by Fitchburg Historical Society, Fitchburg, MA.

Boss is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 265 credited to Massachusetts.

★ Rescue & Lifesaving★ Gave Their Lives

Official Medal of Honor citation

Rescued his lieutenant, who was lying between the lines mortally wounded; this under a heavy fire from the enemy.

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

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: American Civil War.

Places

  • Born: Fitchburg — map
  • Died: Fitchburg — map
  • Buried: Laurel Hill Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Massachusetts →

Timeline

  1. July 30, 1844
    Born in Fitchburg, Worcester County, Massachusetts
  2. June 3, 1864
    Act of valor — Cold Harbor, Virginia
    Age 19. Company F, 25th Massachusetts Infantry
  3. May 10, 1888
    Medal of Honor presented
  4. December 28, 1931
    Died
    Age 87.
  5. Resting place
    Laurel Hill Cemetery
    Fitchburg, Massachusetts

Biography

Orlando Phidelio Boss (1844-1931) was a corporal in Company F, 25th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry during the American Civil War. He received Medal of Honor for his bravery at the Battle of Cold Harbor, Virginia on June 3, 1864. Prior to rescuing Lieutenant Daly of his regiment, he had dragged another wounded comrade to safety among the enemy fire. He had then appealed to his brigade commander, General George J. Stannard, for permission to rescue the lieutenant. General Stannard consented, and Boss succeeded in bringing the wounded office despite a torrent of enemy gunfire that erupted at him during his deed.

From the Wikipedia article “Orlando Boss”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Also honored for actions on June 3, 1864

TB Terrence Begley Private · Army Civil War · 1864 ✦ DC David P. Casey Private · Army Civil War · 1864 JS James M. Seitzinger Private · Army Civil War · 1864 ET Eugene M. Tinkham Corporal · Army Civil War · 1864 Leroy Williams Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1864

More Civil War recipients from Massachusetts

Rufus Saxton Jr. Brigadier General · Army Civil War · 1862 MH Moses Harris First Lieutenant · Army Civil War · 1864 CB Christopher Brennan Seaman · Navy Civil War · 1862 Samuel Cole Wright Private · Army Civil War · 1862 Benjamin H. Jellison Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1863 FA Frederick Charles Anderson Private · Army Civil War · 1864
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.