Private Richard Conner, a soldier in the U.S. Army, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on August 30, 1862 at Bull Run, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company F, 6th New Jersey Infantry. Conner was 21 years old.
2 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on September 17, 1897, 35 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Sergeant.
Conner was born on December 23, 1840 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. His Medal of Honor is credited to Burlington, Burlington County, New Jersey. Conner died on November 4, 1923 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the age of 82. He is buried at North Cedar Hills Cemetery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His medal is held by Gloucester County Historical Society, Woodbury, NJ.
Conner is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 93 credited to New Jersey.
Official Medal of Honor citation
The flag of his regiment having been abandoned during retreat, he voluntarily returned with a single companion under a heavy fire and secured and brought off the flag, his companion being killed.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- December 23, 1840Born in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
- August 30, 1862Act of valor — Bull Run, VirginiaAge 21. Company F, 6th New Jersey Infantry
- September 17, 1897Medal of Honor presented
- November 4, 1923Died in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaAge 82.
- Resting placeNorth Cedar Hills CemeteryPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania
