John Durham (Medal of Honor)

John Stafford Durham (a.k.a. Mark Cromwell,[1] June 8, 1843 – January 12, 1918) served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Perryville.

John Stafford Durham
Civil War era Medal of Honor
Born(1843-06-08)June 8, 1843
New York City
DiedJanuary 12, 1918(1918-01-12) (aged 74)
AllegianceUnited States of America
Union
Service/branchUnited States Army
Union Army
Years of service1861 - 1864
RankSergeant
UnitWisconsin 1st Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment (3 Years)
Battles/warsAmerican Civil War
Battle of Perryville
AwardsMedal of Honor

Biography

Durham was born on June 8, 1843, in New York City,[1] the son of Amos H. Durham and Mary Ann née Laken. He ran away from home at age seven and was adopted by a showman, who changed his name to Mark Cromwell.[1] Durham's official residence was Malone, Wisconsin when he joined the Union Army.[2] He joined the 1st Wisconsin Infantry in August 1861, and mustered out in October 1864.[3] During the Battle of Perryville he took over as the flag bearer for his regiment when the color sergeant was shot. He moved forward with the flag until he was ordered to stop midway by his commanding officer. Durham was admitted to the Soldiers' Home in Leavenworth, Kansas in 1902;[4] he died there on January 12, 1918[5] and was buried at Leavenworth National Cemetery in Leavenworth.[4] His grave can be found in section 33, row 10, grave 18.[6]

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company F, 1st Wisconsin Infantry. Place and date: At Perryville, Ky., 8 October 1862. Entered service at: Malone, Fond du Lac County, Wis. Born: 1843, New York, N.Y. Date of issue: 20 November 1896.

Citation:

For extraordinary heroism on 8 October 1862, while serving with Company F, 1st Wisconsin Infantry, in action at Perryville, Kentucky. Sergeant Durham seized the flag of his regiment when the color sergeant was shot and advanced with the flag midway between the lines, amid a shower of shot, shell, and bullets, until stopped by his commanding officer.[2]

See also

References
  1. "The Badge of Courage". The Kansas City Gazette. December 6, 1896. p. 1. Retrieved December 30, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  2. "Medal of Honor recipients". American Civil War (A-L). United States Army Center of Military History. June 8, 2009. Archived from the original on 2012-09-02. Retrieved 2008-08-30.
  3. Company Roster
  4. "Soldiers' Home Notes". The Leavenworth Times. January 15, 1918. p. 8. Retrieved December 31, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  5. "Soldiers Home: John S. Durham". The Leavenworth Times. January 17, 1918. p. 3. Retrieved December 31, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  6. "John Durham". Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor recipients. Find a Grave. Retrieved 2009-08-30.
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