Veteran in crisis? Dial 988 then press 1 · Text 838255 Next observance: Navy Birthday · October 13
Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Sergeant · U.S. Army

Robert J. Gardner

Sergeant Robert J. Gardner, Army, received the Medal of Honor for actions on April 2, 1865 in Petersburg, Virginia during the Civil War.

U.S. Civil War April 2, 1865

Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Sergeant Robert J. Gardner received the Medal of Honor for his actions on April 2, 1865 in Petersburg, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company K, 34th Massachusetts Infantry. Gardner was 27 years old.

65 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on May 12, 1865. He later rose to the rank of First Sergeant.

Gardner was born on September 28, 1837 in Livingston, Columbia County, New York. His Medal of Honor is credited to Egremont, Berkshire County, Massachusetts. Gardner died on September 23, 1902 in Iosco, Michigan, at the age of 64. He is buried at Wright Cemetery in Parkers Corners, Michigan. His medal is held by Ypsilanti Historical Society, Ypsilanti, MI.

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

Official Medal of Honor citation

Was among the first to enter Fort Gregg, clearing his way by using his musket on the heads of the enemy.

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

Battles and campaigns

1865 · Civil War

Third Battle of Petersburg

Result: Union victory: End of the Siege of Petersburg and opening of the Appomattox Campaign

21 Medal of Honor recipients

Places

  • Born: Livingston — map
  • Died: Iosco Township — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Massachusetts →

Timeline

  1. September 28, 1837
    Born in Livingston, Columbia County, New York
  2. April 2, 1865
    Act of valor — Petersburg, Virginia
    Age 27. Company K, 34th Massachusetts Infantry
  3. May 12, 1865
    Medal of Honor presented
  4. September 23, 1902
    Died in Iosco, Michigan
    Age 64.
  5. Resting place
    Wright Cemetery
    Parkers Corners, Michigan

Biography

Robert J. Gardner (September 28, 1837 – September 23, 1902) was an American soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Gardner received his country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor. Gardner's medal was won for being among the first to enter Fort Gregg during the Third Battle of Petersburg in Virginia on April 2, 1865. He was honored with the award on May 12, 1865. Gardner joined the Army from Egremont, Massachusetts in July 1862, and mustered out with his regiment in June 1865. He was buried in Parkers Corners, Michigan.

From the Wikipedia article “Robert J. Gardner”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Also honored for actions on April 2, 1865

AA Abner Peeler Allen Corporal · Army Civil War · 1865 AA Andrew O. Apple Corporal · Army Civil War · 1865 William J. Babcock Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1865 JB James Albert Barber Corporal · Army Civil War · 1865 EB Eugene Beauharnais Beaumont Major and Assistant Adjutant General · Army Civil War · 1865 William Robert douglas Blackwood Surgeon · Army Civil War · 1865 JB John W. Boutwell Private · Army Civil War · 1865 JB John E. Buffington Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1865 CC Carlton N. Camp Private · Army Civil War · 1865 JC John Corcoran Private · Army Civil War · 1865 Stephen Potter Corliss First Lieutenant · Army Civil War · 1865 JC Josiah M. Curtis Second Lieutenant · Army Civil War · 1865

See all 66 recipients for April 2, 1865 →

More Civil War recipients from Massachusetts

Marcus A. Hanna Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1863 JM Jeremiah Mahoney First Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1863 DC David P. Casey Private · Army Civil War · 1864 Russell C. Elliott Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1864 Eugene W. Ferris First Lieutenant & Adjutant · Army Civil War · 1865 John F. Bickford Captain of the Top · Navy 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.