Sergeant Robert John Coffey, a soldier in the U.S. Army, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on May 4, 1863 at Bank's Ford, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company K, 4th Vermont Infantry. Coffey was 20 years old.
6 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on May 13, 1892, 29 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Major.
Coffey was born on December 15, 1842 in St. John, Canada — one of 60 recipients born in Canada. His Medal of Honor is credited to Montpelier, Washington County, Vermont. Coffey died on July 9, 1901, at the age of 58. He is buried at Green Mount Cemetery in Montpelier, Vermont. His medal is held by Vermont Historical Society, Barre, VT.
Coffey is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 47 credited to Vermont.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Singlehandedly captured two officers and five privates of the 8th Louisiana Regiment (C.S.A.).
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Battle of Salem Church.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Vermont →
Timeline
- December 15, 1842Born in St. John, Canada
- May 4, 1863Act of valor — Bank's Ford, VirginiaAge 20. Company K, 4th Vermont Infantry
- May 13, 1892Medal of Honor presented
- July 9, 1901DiedAge 58.
- Resting placeGreen Mount CemeteryMontpelier, Vermont
Biography
Sergeant Robert John Coffey (December 15, 1842 – July 9, 1901) was a Canadian soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Coffey received the United States' highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action during the Battle of Salem Church in Virginia on 4 May 1863. He was honored with the award on 13 May 1892.
From the Wikipedia article “Robert J. Coffey”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
