Sergeant Richard Gasson was a soldier in the U.S. Army who was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on September 29, 1864 at Chapin's Farm, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company K, 47th New York Infantry. Gasson was about 22 years old.
Gasson was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded. 37 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on April 6, 1865.
Gasson was born in 1842 in Ireland — one of 258 recipients born in Ireland. His Medal of Honor is credited to New York, New York.
Gasson is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 678 credited to New York.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Fell dead while planting the colors of his regiment on the enemy's works.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and death in action
- Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (September 29, 1864).
- Age at death: about 22
Battles and campaigns
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New York →
Timeline
- 1842Born in Ireland
- September 29, 1864Act of valor — Chapin's Farm, VirginiaAge about 22. Company K, 47th New York Infantry Killed in action.
- April 6, 1865Medal of Honor presented posthumously
Biography
Richard Gasson (1842 – September 29, 1864) was an American soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Gasson posthumously received the United States' highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor. Gasson's medal was won for his actions during the Battle of Chaffin's Farm in Henrico County, Virginia on September 29, 1864. Gasson was killed during the battle. He was honored with the award on June 22, 1896. Gasson was born in Ireland, and his registered home was in New York City at the time of the Civil War.
From the Wikipedia article “Richard Gasson”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
