Joseph H. De Castro

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Joseph H. De Castro
November 14, 1844(1844-11-14) – May 8, 1892 (aged 47)
Image:Replace this image male.svg
Place of birth Boston, Massachusetts
Place of death Newark, New Jersey
Allegiance Union
United States of America
Service/branch Union Army
Rank Corporal
Unit Company I, 19th Massachusetts Infantry
Battles/wars American Civil War
*Battle of Gettysburg,
Awards Medal of Honor
Civil War Campaign Medal

Corporal Joseph H. De Castro (November 14, 1844-May 8, 1892) born in Boston, Massachusetts, was the first Hispanic-American to be awarded the United States' highest military decoration for valor in combat — the Medal of Honor — for having distinguished himself during Pickett's Charge in the Battle of Gettysburg of the American Civil War.

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[edit] Biography

De Castro was the Massachusetts State flag bearer of Company I, 19th Massachusetts Infantry, an all volunteer unit. The unit participated in the Battle of Gettysburg at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania as part of the III Corps 3rd Brigade, U.S. Army under the command of Colonel Norman J. Hall.

On July 3, 1863, the third and last day of the battle, his unit participated in what became known as Pickett's Charge. Pickett's Charge was a disastrous infantry assault ordered by Confederate General Robert E. Lee against Major General George G. Meade's Union positions on Cemetery Ridge.

During the battle, De Castro attacked a confederate flag bearer from the 19th Virginia regiment, with the staff of his own colors and seized the opposing regiment's flag, handing the prize over to General Alexander S. Webb. General Webb is quoted as saying, "At the instant a man broke through my lines and thrust a rebel battle flag into my hands. He never said a word and darted back. It was Corporal Joseph H. De Castro, one of my color bearers. He had knocked down a color bearer in the enemy's line with the staff of the Massachusetts State colors, seized the falling flag and dashed it to me".[1]

On December 1, 1864, De Castro was one of seven men from the 19th Massachusetts Infantry to be awarded the Medal of Honor.

Map of Pickett's Charge, July 3, 1863. Confederate troops are marked in red, Union in blue. The black rectangles are farms and rural properties.
Map of Pickett's Charge, July 3, 1863. Confederate troops are marked in red, Union in blue. The black rectangles are farms and rural properties.

[edit] Medal of Honor citation

Sergeant Joseph H. De Castro
Rank and organization: Corporal, Company I, 19th Massachusetts Infantry
Place and date: At Gettysburg, Pa., 3 July 1863
Born:Boston, Mass.
Date of issue: 1 December 1864
Citation:
Capture of flag of 19th Virginia regiment (C.S)[2]

[edit] Personal

De Castro was married to Rosalia Rodriguez. He died on May 8, 1892 and is buried at Fairmount Cemetery, Newark, New Jersey.

[edit] Awards and decorations

Joseph H. De Castro's awards and decorations include the following:

Medal of Honor (Army version)
Army Civil War Campaign Medal

[edit] See also

United States Army Portal
American Civil War Portal

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ The Magazine of American History, page 18.
  2. ^ Civil War Medals of Honor. Retrieved on 20 July 2006. Medal of Honor citation

[edit] References

[edit] External links

[edit] Further reading

  • Right Before Our Eyes: Latinos Past, Present & Future, Robert Montemayor, Henry (COL) Mendoza.
  • Gettysburg: A Testing of Courage, Noah Andre Trudeau.
  • Pickett's Charge — The Last Attack at Gettysburg, Earl J Hess.