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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

First Lieutenant · U.S. Army

William Macky Wherry

First Lieutenant William Macky Wherry, Army, received the Medal of Honor for actions on August 10, 1861 at Wilson's Creek, Missouri during the Civil War.

U.S. Civil War August 10, 1861

First Lieutenant William Macky Wherry, a soldier in the U.S. Army, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on August 10, 1861 at Wilson's Creek, Missouri during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company D, 3d U.S. Reserve Missouri Infantry. Wherry was 24 years old.

4 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on October 30, 1895, 34 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Brigadier General USA.

Wherry was born on September 13, 1836 in St. Louis, St. Louis County, Missouri. Wherry died on November 3, 1918 in Cincinnati, Ohio, at the age of 82. He is buried at Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri. His medal is held by Wilson's Creek Battlefield Museum (NPS), Republic, MO.

Wherry is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 78 credited to Missouri.

Official Medal of Honor citation

Displayed conspicuous coolness and heroism in rallying troops that were recoiling under heavy fire.

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

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: American Civil War, Spanish–American War.

Life beyond the battlefield

  • Occupations: writer

Source: Wikidata.

Places

  • Born: St. Louis — map
  • Died: Cincinnati — map
  • Buried: Bellefontaine Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Missouri →

Timeline

  1. September 13, 1836
    Born in St. Louis, St. Louis County, Missouri
  2. August 10, 1861
    Act of valor — Wilson's Creek, Missouri
    Age 24. Company D, 3d U.S. Reserve Missouri Infantry
  3. October 30, 1895
    Medal of Honor presented
  4. November 3, 1918
    Died in Cincinnati, Ohio
    Age 82.
  5. Resting place
    Bellefontaine Cemetery
    St. Louis, Missouri

Biography

William Mackey Wherry (September 13, 1836 – November 3, 1918) was an American brigadier general, author and recipient of the Medal of Honor.

From the Wikipedia article “William M. Wherry”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Also honored for actions on August 10, 1861

Nicholas S. Bouquet Private · Army Civil War · 1861 Lorenzo Dow Immell Corporal · Army Civil War · 1861 John Mcallister Schofield Major · Army Civil War · 1861 Henry Clay Wood First Lieutenant · Army Civil War · 1861

More Civil War recipients from Missouri

Joseph Leonard Follett Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1862 JW John W. Wagner Corporal · Army Civil War · 1863 AP Ambrose Porter Commissary Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1864 Dennis Thomas Kirby Major · Army Civil War · 1863 JP Joseph M. Pesch Private · Army Civil War · 1863 HH Henry A. Hammel Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1863
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.