George H. Maynard

George H. Maynard (February 2, 1836 - December 26, 1927) was a Union Army soldier in the American Civil War who received the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.[1]

Early life

Maynard was born in Waltham, Massachusetts on February 2, 1836. He was the son of Warren and Nancy (Holden) Maynard. He attended public schools in Waltham and became a jeweler's apprentice in Boston at the age of 15. He continued in this trade until he enlisted in the Union Army following the outbreak of the Civil War.[2]:183

Military service

Maynard enlisted as a private in Company D of the 13th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry on July 20, 1861. He fought at the Battle of Fredericksburg in Virginia on December 13, 1862. During the battle he ran through enemy fire to rescue another soldier who had been severely wounded in action. He received the Medal of Honor for this action in 1898. He was mustered out of the 13th Massachusetts on February 17, 1863.[2]:183

On January 17, 1864 he was commissioned a captain in the 82nd United States Colored Infantry. He was breveted to the rank of major on March 15, 1865 for meritorious service during the war. He was honorably mustered out of service on September 10, 1866.[2]:184

Later life

Maynard married Harriet E. Henry of Boston on May 5, 1868. He became a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts in 1875. He became the first sergeant of the company in 1879.[2]:184

Maynard was an active mason and became a Knight Templar in the York Rite. He was also a companion of the Massachusetts Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.[2]:184

Maynard died in 1927, at the age of 91 and was buried in the Mount Feake Cemetery in Waltham.[3]

Medal of Honor citation

A wounded and helpless comrade, having been left on the skirmish line, this soldier voluntarily returned to the front under a severe fire and carried the wounded man to a place of safety.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "Medal of Honor Recipients". United States Army Center of Military History. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 History of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts, 1637-1888. Oliver Ayer Roberts. Alfred Mudge and Son. Boston. 1901.
  3. ↑ "Waltham Civil War Veteran honored for his heroic actions" (PDF). Waltham News Tribune. 22 May 2009. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  4. ↑ "George H. Maynard". CMOHS Website. Retrieved 19 February 2015.

External links

"George H. Maynard". Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor recipients. Find a Grave. Retrieved 7 April 2015. 

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Monday, January 11, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.