Henry V. Boynton

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Henry Van Ness Boynton
June 22, 1835(1835-06-22) – June 3, 1905 (aged 69)
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Henry Van Ness Boynton, Medal of Honor recipient
Place of birth West Stockbridge, Massachusetts
Place of death Atlantic City, New Jersey
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch Union Army
Years of service 1861-75, 1898
Rank Brigadier General
Battles/wars American Civil War
*Battle of Chickamauga
*Battle of Missionary Ridge
Awards Medal of Honor

Henry Van Ness Boynton (June 22, 1835 – June 3, 1905) was a Union Army officer during the American Civil War and a recipient of America's highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions at Missionary Ridge. Returning to duty in 1898 during the Spanish-American War, Boynton was promoted to brigadier general.

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[edit] Early life

Boynton was born in West Stockbridge, Massachusetts but was raised in Ohio where he graduated in 1854 from Woodward College, in Cincinnati, and subsequently from the Kentucky Military Institute in 1859. While there, he joined the Phi Delta Theta fraternity.

[edit] Civil War

From the onset of the Civil War to its conclusion, Boynton served as a commissioned officer in the 35th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was elected as the regiment's first major, but quickly rose up the ranks to become the commanding officer of the regiment and was promoted to lieutenant colonel. He led the 35th in the Battle of Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge, where he earned the Medal of Honor for his actions on November 25, 1863.

[edit] After the war

After the war he resumed civilian life. He married Helen Augusta Mason in 1871 and became a newspaper correspondent in Washington D.C. Boynton also became the chairman of the committee that oversaw the development of the Chattanooga National Military Park. In 1898, he returned to active military service as a brigadier general during the Spanish-American War.

Boynton died in 1905 in Atlantic City, New Jersey.[1] His funeral service on June 3 was attended by President Theodore Roosevelt and a delegation representing his old comrades in the Army of the Cumberland.[2] He was buried on Jun 7, 1905, at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia Plot: Section 2, Lot 1096.[3]

[edit] Medal of Honor citation

Rank and Organization:

Lieutenant Colonel, 35th Ohio Infantry.

Place and date: At Missionary Ridge, Tenn., 25 November 1863. Entered service at: Ohio. Born: 22 July 1835, West Stockbridge, Mass. Date of issue: 15 November 1893.

Citation:

Led his regiment in the face of a severe fire of the enemy; was severely wounded.[4][5]

[edit] See also

United States Army Portal

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Boynton prepared to die". nytimes.com (1905-06-05). Retrieved on 2007-11-29.
  2. ^ "Will honor Gen. Boynton, President promises to attend the funeral". nytimes.com (1905-06-06). Retrieved on 2007-11-29.
  3. ^ Henry V. Boynton at Find A Grave Retrieved on 2007-11-29
  4. ^ "Civil War Medal of Honor Citations" (A-B): Boynton, Henry V.. AmericanCivilWar.com. Retrieved on 2007-11-29.
  5. ^ "Medal of Honor website” (A-L): Boynton, Henry V.. army.mil. Retrieved on 2007-11-29.