Corporal Samuel Joseph Churchill, a soldier in the U.S. Army, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on December 15, 1864 in Nashville, Tennessee during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company G, 2d Illinois Light Artillery. Churchill was 22 years old.
One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on January 20, 1897, 32 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Quartermaster Sergeant.
Churchill was born on November 1, 1842 in Rutland, Rutland County, Vermont. His Medal of Honor is credited to DeKalb, DeKalb County, Illinois. Churchill died on June 3, 1932 in Lawrence, Kansas, at the age of 89. He is buried at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lawrence, Kansas.
Churchill is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 210 credited to Illinois.
Official Medal of Honor citation
When the fire of the enemy's batteries compelled the men of his detachment for a short time to seek shelter, he stood manfully at his post and for some minutes worked his gun alone.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Places
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Timeline
- November 1, 1842Born in Rutland, Rutland County, Vermont
- December 15, 1864Act of valor — Nashville, TennesseeAge 22. Company G, 2d Illinois Light Artillery
- January 20, 1897Medal of Honor presented
- June 3, 1932Died in Lawrence, KansasAge 89.
- Resting placeOak Hill CemeteryLawrence, Kansas
Biography
Corporal Samuel Joseph Churchill (November 1, 1842 – June 3, 1932) was an American soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Churchill received the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action during the Battle of Nashville in Tennessee on 15 December 1864. He was honored with the award on 20 January 1897.
From the Wikipedia article “Samuel J. Churchill”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
