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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Private · U.S. Army

Richard Smith

Private Richard Smith, Army, received the Medal of Honor for actions on August 21, 1864 in Weldon Railroad, Virginia during the Civil War.

U.S. Civil War August 21, 1864

Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Private Richard Smith received the Medal of Honor for his actions on August 21, 1864 in Weldon Railroad, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company B, 95th New York Infantry. Smith was 24 years old.

4 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on March 13, 1865.

Smith was born on January 9, 1840 in Haverstraw, Rockland County, New York. Smith died on June 13, 1918, at the age of 78. He is buried at Mount Repose Cemetery in Hayerstraw, New York.

Smith 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

Captured two officers and 20 men of Hagood's brigade while they were endeavoring to make their way back through the woods.

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

Timeline

  1. January 9, 1840
    Born in Haverstraw, Rockland County, New York
  2. August 21, 1864
    Act of valor — Weldon Railroad, Virginia
    Age 24. Company B, 95th New York Infantry
  3. March 13, 1865
    Medal of Honor presented
  4. June 13, 1918
    Died
    Age 78.
  5. Resting place
    Mount Repose Cemetery
    Hayerstraw, New York

Also honored for actions on August 21, 1864

FA Frederick Charles Anderson Private · Army Civil War · 1864 HE Horace Ellis Private · Army Civil War · 1864 GR George W. Reed Private · Army Civil War · 1864 JS John Shilling First Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1864

More Civil War recipients from New York

HW Henry Wilkes Landsman · Navy Civil War · 1864 SO Stephen O'Neill Corporal · Army Civil War · 1863 IP Irvin C. Payne Corporal · Army Civil War · 1865 GF George W. Ford First Lieutenant · Army Civil War · 1865 TM Thomas Meagher First Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1864 AB Augustus Barry Sergeant Major · Army Civil War · 1863
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.