John E. Buffington

John E. Buffington
Born 1841
Carroll County, Maryland
Died 1924
Washington
Allegiance  United States of America
Service/branch  United States Army
Years of service August 21, 1862 to June 20, 1865
Rank Sergeant
Unit Maryland Company C, 6th Maryland Infantry
Battles/wars Third Battle of Petersburg
Awards Medal of Honor

Sergeant John E. Buffington (July 12, 1839 to April 26, 1915) was an American soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Buffington received the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action during the Third Battle of Petersburg in Virginia on 2 April 1865. He was honored with the award on 3 April 1908.[1][2][3]

Biography

Born in Carroll County, Maryland, Buffington enlisted in the 6th Maryland Infantry Regiment. He is noted as the first Union soldier to raise a flag within the Confederates lines for the Third Division of the VI Corps of the Union Army at the Third Battle of Petersburg. This act, which he performed on 2 April 1865, earned him the medal of honor. However, Buffington was not presented with the medal until 1908 as he had mustered out of the army without applying for it.[4][5][6][7]

Medal of Honor citation

Was the first enlisted man of the 3d Division to mount the parapet of the enemy's line.[1][2][3]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Civil War (A-L) Medal of Honor Recipients". Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  2. 1 2 "U.S. Army Medal of Honor Recipients". Retrieved 18 October 2013.
  3. 1 2 "Buffington, John E.". Retrieved 18 October 2013.
  4. ↑ Engle, Donna R. (21 August 1997). "Carroll's Civil War hero Honor: John Buffington, the only county man to receive the Medal of Honor in the Civil War, will be feted during Celebrate Taneytown on Saturday, when a wreath is placed on his grave". Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  5. ↑ "John E. Buffington's Medal of Honor". Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  6. ↑ "Sixth Regiment of Maryland Infantry Descendants Association". Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  7. ↑ Knauer, Carrie Ann (29 March 2008). "Civil War veteran to be honored". Retrieved 19 October 2013.
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