Private Wallace A. Beckwith, a soldier in the U.S. Army, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on December 13, 1862 in Fredericksburg, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company F, 21st Connecticut Infantry. Beckwith was 19 years old.
17 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on February 15, 1897, 34 years after the action.
Beckwith was born on February 28, 1843 in New London, New London County, Connecticut. Beckwith died on November 22, 1929 in Waterford, Connecticut, at the age of 86. He is buried at Jordan Cemetery in Waterford, Connecticut.
Beckwith is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 57 credited to Connecticut.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Gallantly responded to a call for volunteers to man a battery, served with great heroism until the termination of the engagement.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Connecticut →
Timeline
- February 28, 1843Born in New London, New London County, Connecticut
- December 13, 1862Act of valor — Fredericksburg, VirginiaAge 19. Company F, 21st Connecticut Infantry
- February 15, 1897Medal of Honor presented
- November 22, 1929Died in Waterford, ConnecticutAge 86.
- Resting placeJordan CemeteryWaterford, Connecticut
Biography
Private Wallace A. Beckwith (February 28, 1843 – November 22, 1929) was an American soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Beckwith was awarded the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action at Fredericksburg, Virginia during the Battle of Fredericksburg on December 13, 1862. He was honored with the award on February 15, 1897.
From the Wikipedia article “Wallace A. Beckwith”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
