Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Private Samuel Grimshaw received the Medal of Honor for his actions on August 6, 1864 in Atlanta, Georgia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company B, 52d Ohio Infantry. Grimshaw was 24 years old.
The medal was presented on April 5, 1894, 29 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Corporal.
Grimshaw was born on March 2, 1840 in Jefferson County, Ohio. His Medal of Honor is credited to Smithfield, Jefferson County, Ohio. Grimshaw died on November 9, 1918 in Holton, Kansas, at the age of 78. He is buried at Holton Cemetery in Holton, Kansas. His medal is held by Kansas State Historical Museum, Topeka, KS.
Grimshaw is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 256 credited to Ohio.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Saved the lives of some of his comrades, and greatly imperiled his own by picking up and throwing away a lighted shell which had fallen in the midst of the company.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: American Civil War.
Places
Timeline
- March 2, 1840Born in Jefferson County, Ohio
- August 6, 1864Act of valor — Atlanta, GeorgiaAge 24. Company B, 52d Ohio Infantry
- April 5, 1894Medal of Honor presented
- November 9, 1918Died in Holton, KansasAge 78.
- Resting placeHolton CemeteryHolton, Kansas
Biography
Samuel Grimshaw (March 2, 1840 - November 9, 1918) was an American soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Grimshaw received his country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor. Grimshaw's medal was won for his actions in Atlanta, Georgia, when he threw away a lit shell that had fallen near his company on August 6, 1864. He was honored with the award on April 5, 1894. Grimshaw was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, entered service in Smithfield, Ohio, and was buried in Holton, Kansas.
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