List of Jewish Medal of Honor Recipients - American Civil War

American Civil War

The American Civil War was a major conflict fought between the federal government of the United States and eleven of its member States which sought to secede and to create their own government, the Confederate States of America. It started on April 12, 1861, shortly after Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States, and ended four years later on April 9, 1865. During the war over 10,000 military engagements took place and more than 3 million people fought on both sides with 40% of the battles being fought in the states of Virginia and Tennessee.

Since its creation, 1522 have received the Medal of Honor for actions during the American Civil War and depending on sources, as many as seven were Jewish.

Note: Notes in quotations are derived or are copied from the official Medal of Honor citation
Image Name Service Rank Place of action Date of action Notes References
— Cohn, AbrahamAbraham Cohn Army E-09 !Sergeant Major Battle of the Wilderness and Battle of the Crater, Virginia 01864-05-06May 6, 1864 and July 30, 1864 "During Battle of the Wilderness rallied and formed, under heavy fire, disorganized and fleeing troops of different regiments. At Petersburg, Va., ... bravely and coolly carried orders to the advanced line under severe fire."
— Gause, IsaacIsaac Gause Army E-04 !Corporal near Berryville, Virginia 01864-09-13Sep 13, 1864 "Capture of the colors of the 8th South Carolina Infantry while engaged in a reconnaissance"
— Greenawalt, AbrahamAbraham Greenawalt Army E-01 !Private Franklin, Tennessee 01864-11-30November 30, 1864 "Capture of corps headquarters flag (C.S.A.)"
— Heller, HenryHenry Heller Army E-05 !Sergeant Battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia 01863-05-02May 2, 1863 "One of a party of 4 who, under heavy fire, voluntarily brought into the Union lines a wounded Confederate officer from whom was obtained valuable information concerning the position of the enemy."
— Karpeles, LeopoldLeopold Karpeles Army E-05 !Sergeant Battle of the Wilderness, Virginia 01864-05-06May 6, 1864 "While color bearer, rallied the retreating troops and induced them to check the enemy's advance"
— Levy, BenjaminBenjamin Levy Army E-01 !Private Battle of Glendale, Virginia 01862-06-30Jun 30, 1862 Drummer boy, took the gun of a sick comrade and went into the fight, when the color bearers were shot down he carried the colors and saved them from capture.
— Orbansky, DavidDavid Orbansky Army E-01 !Private Shiloh, Tennessee, Vicksburg, Mississippi 01862-01-011862 and 1863 "Gallantry in actions"

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