Joseph Van Matre

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Joseph Van Matre
October 9, 1828(1828-10-09) – January 14, 1892 (aged 63)
Joseph Van Matre, Medal of Honor recipient
Place of birth	Mason County, (West) Virginia
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army
Rank	Private
Unit	Company G, 116th Ohio Infantry
Awards	Medal of Honor

Joseph Van Matre was a United States Army soldier who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the American Civil War.

1 Biography
2 Medal of Honor citation
3 See also
4 Notes
5 References

[edit] Biography

Joseph Van Matre was born on October 9, 1828 in Mason County, (West) Virginia. He was a member of the 116 Ohio Infantry during the American Civil War and was awarded the Medal of Honor on April 2, 1865 duirng the Third Battle of Petersburg. During the assault on Fort Gregg, Van Matre climbed upon the parapet and fired down into the fort as fast as the loaded guns could be passed to him. He died on January 14, 1892 and is buried in Riverview Cemetery in Middleport, Ohio.^[1]His gravesite can be found in Section 1, Lot 208.^[1]

[edit] Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Private, Company G, 116th Ohio Infantry. Place and date: At Petersburg, Va., 2 April 1865. Entered service at: ------. Birth: Mason County, W. Va. Date of issue: 12 May 1865.

Citation:

In the assault on Fort Gregg, this soldier climbed upon the parapet and fired down into the fort as fast as the loaded guns could be passed up to him by comrades.^[2]