David Johnston (soldier)

Last updated
David H. Johnston
BornAugust 19, 1838
Indiana County, Pennsylvania
DiedSeptember 12, 1931
Central City, Nebraska
Buried
Pierce Chapel Bureau Cemetery, Clarks, Nebraska
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch Union Army
RankPrivate
UnitCompany K, 8th Missouri Volunteer Infantry
Battles/wars Battle of Vicksburg, Mississippi
Awards Medal of Honor
Spouse(s)Nancy Jane (m.1872)
ChildrenEight

David H. Johnston (August 19, 1838 - September 12, 1931) was an American soldier and recipient of the Medal of Honor who received the medal for his actions in the American Civil War.

Contents

Biography

Johnston was born in Indiana County, Pennsylvania on August 19, 1838, to David Johnston and Margaret Johnston. [1] [2] He served as a private in Company K of the 8th Missouri Volunteer Infantry during the American Civil War. [3] He earned his medal in action at the Battle of Vicksburg, Mississippi on May 22, 1863. [3] [4] Johnston received his medal on August 16, 1884, but the U.S. War Department mistakenly listed the recipient of the award as David A. Johnston from Missouri in their files. [5] The mix-up happened after A. Johnston's pension check was mistaken by the War Department for H. Johnston's pension check, who had not applied for a pension that year. [6] Johnston only requested a pension in 1907. The mistake was discovered in 1966 when a newspaper published a list of recipients and Johnston was absent. [5] Johnston married Nancy Jane in 1872. The couple had eight children. [6] Johnston died on September 12, 1931, in Central City Merrick County, Nebraska and is now buried in Pierce Chapel Bureau Cemetery, Clarks, Nebraska. [3] [7]

Legacy

Johnson and other Nebraska associated Medal of Honor recipients were inducted into the Nebraska Hall of Fame in the 1970s and a Medal of Honor memorial gravestone was placed at Johnston's grave on Sunday, October 25, 1992, in a large family gathering to dedicate Johnston's life. [8] [9] His medal is also on display at the Merrick County Historical Society Museum. [3]

Medal of Honor Citation

For gallantry in the charge of the volunteer storming party on 22 May 1863, in action at Vicksburg, Mississippi. [1]

Related Research Articles

This is an incomplete list of the last surviving veterans of American wars. The last surviving veteran of any particular war, upon their death, marks the end of a historic era. Exactly who is the last surviving veteran is often an issue of contention, especially with records from long-ago wars. The "last man standing" was often very young at the time of enlistment and in many cases had lied about his age to gain entry into the service, which confuses matters further.

The 8th Missouri Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment in the Union army during the American Civil War. Among its early leaders were Morgan Lewis Smith and Giles Alexander Smith, both of whom later became generals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eugene Asa Carr</span>

Eugene Asa Niel Carr was a soldier in the United States Army and a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Pea Ridge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matthew Bickford</span>

Matthew Bickford (1839–1918) received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the American Civil War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">55th Illinois Infantry Regiment</span> Military unit

The 55th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment is sometimes referred to as the Canton Rifles or the Douglas Brigade 2nd Regiment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Alexander Williamson</span> Union Army officer during the American Civil War

James A. Williamson was a politician and lawyer who served in the Union army during the American Civil War, rising to the rank of brigadier general. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Chickasaw Bayou.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orion P. Howe</span>

Orion Perseus Howe was among the youngest recipients of the Medal of Honor for his service in the American Civil War as a Union drummer boy. He was awarded the medal on April 23, 1896.

The 20th Ohio Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

The 47th Ohio Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment had 14 Medal of Honor recipients, the most of any Ohio regiment during the war.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Ayres (soldier)</span> Union Army Medal of Honor recipient

David Ayres was a Union Army soldier during the American Civil War. He received the Medal of Honor for gallantry during the Siege of Vicksburg on May 22, 1863. His last name was spelled as Ayers on his enlistment and maintains the spelling on his medal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">113th Illinois Volunteer Infantry</span> American Civil War Union Army unit

The 113th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

The 116th Illinois Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John G. K. Ayers</span>

John G. K. Ayers was a Union Army soldier during the American Civil War. He received the Medal of Honor for gallantry during the Siege of Vicksburg on May 22, 1863.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James S. Cunningham</span>

James Smith Cunningham (1840–1921) was a Union Army soldier during the American Civil War. He received the Medal of Honor for gallantry during the Siege of Vicksburg on May 22, 1863.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard W. DeWitt</span> American Civil War Medal of Honor recipient

Richard Willis DeWitt was a Union Army soldier during the American Civil War. He received the Medal of Honor for gallantry during the Siege of Vicksburg on May 22, 1863.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David H. Helms</span>

David H. Helms (1838–1921) was a Union Army soldier during the American Civil War. He received the Medal of Honor for gallantry during the Siege of Vicksburg on May 22, 1863.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert M. Cox</span> American Civil War Medal of Honor recipient

Corporal Robert M. Cox was an American soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Cox received the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action during the Battle of Vicksburg in Mississippi on May 22, 1863. He was honored with the award on December 31, 1892.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dennis T. Kirby</span> Civil War Soldier (Union)

Dennis Thomas Kirby was a Union Army soldier in the American Civil War who received the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.

James Calvin Summers was a private in the United States Army who was awarded the Presidential Medal of Honor for gallantry during the American Civil War. Summers was awarded the medal on 25 February 1895 for actions performed at the Siege of Vicksburg in Mississippi on 22 May 1863.

David Jones was an American soldier and recipient of the Medal of Honor who received the award for his actions in the American Civil War.

References

  1. 1 2 "David Johnston - Recipient -". valor.militarytimes.com. Retrieved 2022-02-24.
  2. Caldwell, J.A. (1880). 1745-1880 History of Indiana County, Penn'a. p. 429.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "David H Johnston | U.S. Civil War | U.S. Army | Medal of Honor Recipient". Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Retrieved 2022-02-24.
  4. "Johnston, David". The National Medal of Honor Museum. Retrieved 2022-02-24.
  5. 1 2 "Soldier's award brings together family". The Salina Journal. Associated Press. October 26, 1992. p. 8. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
  6. 1 2 "Civil War medal recipient honored by descendants". The Lincoln Star. October 26, 1992. p. 15. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
  7. "8th Missouri Volunteer Infantry (US) - David H. Johnston". www.infantry8thmo.org. Retrieved 2022-02-24.
  8. "Hall Of Fame Includes Medal Of Honor Winners". The Banner-Press. February 5, 1970. p. 8. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
  9. "Civil War Medal of Honor winner finally honored". Beatrice Daily Sun. October 27, 1992. p. 3. Retrieved February 23, 2022.