| John Green | |
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John Green, Medal of Honor recipient |
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| Born | Wurttemberg, Germany |
| Died | November 22, 1908 (aged 83) Boise, Idaho |
| Place of burial | Morris Hill Cemetery |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | Army |
| Years of service | 1846–1889 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Unit | "Mounted Rifles", Cavalry |
| Commands held | First U. S. Cavalry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | Mexican-American War Battle of Antietam First Battle of the Stronghold |
| Awards | Medal of Honor National Association of Veterans of Mexican War Medal |
John Green (November 20, 1825 – November 22, 1908) was a United States cavalry officer, who was awarded a Medal of Honor for his bravery and leadership at the First Battle of the Stronghold during the Modoc War.
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Green, of German birth came to the U.S. at age 6 in 1831. He grew up to become apprenticed to a carpenter on one occasion and to a cabinetmaker, but he did not feel his life was in those lines of work and instead enlisted in the army aged 21.
Green entered the army in 1846, he fought in the Mexican-American War under General Winfield Scott as a Sergeant. He later served as an officer in the American Civil War and rose through the ranks to become Colonel.
At the First Battle of the Stronghold during the Modoc War Green's men displayed a reluctance to fight Modoc warriors, who had been inflicting casualties on their unit. Green left cover, and, standing in full view of the Modoc warriors, proceeded to pace in front of his men, slapping his gloves in his palm for emphasis. Although exposed to enemy fire, Green survived, although he was injured, and remained in command.
Rank and Organization: Major, 1st U.S. Cavalry. Place and Date: At the Lava Beds, Calif., January 17, 1873. Entered Service At: Ohio. Birth: Germany. Date of Issue: November 18, 1897.
In order to reassure his command, this officer, in the most fearless manner and exposed to very great danger, walked in front of the line; the command, thus encouraged, advanced over the lava upon the Indians who were concealed among the rocks.