While we can’t begin to list everyone, some famous recipients include Private Jacob Parrot of Andrews’ Raid, William Harvey Carney, Dr. Mary Walker, and Thomas Ward Custer.
The first Medals of Honor were given to participants of Andrews’ Raid or the Great Locomotive Chase with Private Jacob Parrot as the first person ever to be awarded the Medal of Honor.
During Andrews’ Raid named after James J. Andrews, 22 Union volunteers snuck behind enemy lines to Atlanta to steal a train to ride up north to Chattanooga. They also tried to burn bridges, destroy railroad tracks, and cut telegraph lines. The idea was to cut off Chattanooga, which was under control of the Confederates, from reinforcements just as the Union Army was attacking the city. Unfortunately, the raid failed, and some of the raiders were captured and executed. Even so, the raiders were regarded as heroes, and all but two of the military members received Medals of Honor, some posthumously.
At least 32 Medals of Honor were awarded to African-Americans, and William Harvey Carney was the first. Born a slave in Virginia, he finally found freedom in Massachusetts. He volunteered to join the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, the first African-American unit in the northern states although it was led by white officers.
Tasked with taking Fort Wagner, a beachhead fortification that protected the southern Charleston Harbor, the 54th was chosen for the second attack. The Union flag bearer was killed as the soldiers stormed the fort, but Carney stepped in and held the flag for the remainder of the battle, never losing possession of the flag despite several injuries. Unfortunately, the 54th was forced to retreat, but, as Carney said after the battle, “the old flag never touched the ground.” Carney was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1900, thirty-five years after the end of the Civil War.
Individuals who have received two Medals of Honor are rare, and Thomas Ward Custer is a part of this elite group, receiving both medals for actions during the Civil War. His first medal was awarded for actions during the Battle of Namozine Church where he led a cavalry charge while under fire, seized a Confederate flag, and took 14 Confederates prisoner. Custer’s second medal was awarded for actions three days later at the Battle of Sailor’s Creek where he again took a Confederate flag during a cavalry charge. Singlehandedly breaking a Confederate line, Custer charged at the Confederate flag-bearer, received a shot to the face before quickly recovering to kill the flag-bearer, and finally presented the flag to his brother, George Armstrong Custer.
Thomas Custer, George Custer, and one other brother would die at the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876.