Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Private Samuel S. French received the Medal of Honor for his actions on May 31, 1862 in Fair Oaks, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company E, 7th Michigan Infantry. French was 21 years old.
3 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on October 24, 1895, 33 years after the action.
French was born on April 23, 1841 in Erie County, New York. His Medal of Honor is credited to Gifford, Tuscola County, Michigan. French died on February 17, 1913 in Gilford, Michigan, at the age of 71. He is buried at Gilford Township Cemetery in Gilford, Michigan.
French is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 112 credited to Michigan.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Continued fighting, although wounded, until he fainted from loss of blood.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and injuries
What the citation records about his wounds:
Continued fighting, although wounded, until he fainted from loss of blood.
- Age at death: 71
- Resting place: Gilford Township Cemetery
Battles and campaigns
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Michigan →
Timeline
- April 23, 1841Born in Erie County, New York
- May 31, 1862Act of valor — Fair Oaks, VirginiaAge 21. Company E, 7th Michigan Infantry
- October 24, 1895Medal of Honor presented
- February 17, 1913Died in Gilford, MichiganAge 71.
- Resting placeGilford Township CemeteryGilford, Michigan
Biography
Private Samuel S. French (April 23, 1841 – February 17, 1913) was an American soldier who fought in the American Civil War. French received the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action during the Battle of Seven Pines in Virginia on May 31, 1862. He was honored with the award on October 24, 1895.
From the Wikipedia article “Samuel S. French”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
