Friday, May 24, 2013

Medal of Honor: Cpl. John Walsh - Springfield, MA


Interesting Places I've Visited
Cpl. John Walsh
Springfield, MA
Topic: Medal of Honor Recipients
Cpl. John Walsh


GPS: N42° 07.193; W072° 34.977


Quick Description: 

The grave of Medal of Honor recipient Cpl. John Walsh is located in St. Benedict's Cemetery on Liberty Street in Springfield, MA.

Long Description:

Cpl. John Walsh was born in Ireland and fought with the Union Army during the Civil War. He is buried in the east side of the south section of St. Benedict's Cemetery in Springfield, MA.

Twenty soldiers were awarded the Medal of Honor for valor in action against Confederate forces at Cedar Creek, Virginia, on October 19, 1865. Corporal John Walsh was awarded the Medal of Honor that day. The flag of the 15th New Jersey Infantry had earlier been taken in battle by the Confederate forces, Corporal Walsh distinguished himself in action by recovering the flag from the Confederate forces.

His grave is marked with a bronze Medal of Honor plaque and a gray granite family headstone.

Medal of Honor Plaque
The bronze plaque is has an image of the Medal of Honor and the inscription:


JOHN WALSH
MEDAL OF HONOR
CORP CO D NY CAVALRY
CIVIL WAR
DEC 4 1841 MAY 25 1924

Family Headstone
The granite family headstone is inscribed:
JOHN J. WALSH
1840 - 1924
CORP. CO. D. N.Y. CAV.
CATHERINE MAHER
HIS WIFE
1846 - 1910
JOHANNA WALSH
1802 - 1863
The family name WALSH near the base.

Citation:

WALSH, JOHN

Rank and organization: Corporal, Company D, 5th New York Cavalry. Place and date: At Cedar Creek, Va., 19 October 1864. Entered service at: ------. Birth: Ireland. Date of issue: 26 October 1864. Citation: Recaptured the flag of the 15th New Jersey Infantry. 

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