John E. Buffington

Sergeant John E. Buffington (July 12, 1839 – April 26, 1915) was an American soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Buffington received the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action during the Third Battle of Petersburg in Virginia on 2 April 1865. He was honored with the award on 3 April 1908.[1][2][3]

John E. Buffington
BornJuly 12, 1839
Carroll County, Maryland
DiedApril 26, 1915
Washington
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Years of serviceAugust 21, 1862 to June 20, 1865
RankSergeant
UnitMaryland 6th Regiment Maryland Volunteer Infantry - Company C
Battles/warsThird Battle of Petersburg
Awards Medal of Honor

Biography

Born in Carroll County, Maryland, Buffington enlisted in the 6th Maryland Infantry Regiment. He is noted as the first Union soldier to raise a flag within the Confederates lines for the Third Division of the VI Corps of the Union Army at the Third Battle of Petersburg. This act, which he performed on 2 April 1865, earned him the medal of honor. However, Buffington was not presented with the medal until 1908 as he had mustered out of the army without applying for it.[4][5][6][7]

Medal of Honor citation

Was the first enlisted man of the 3d Division to mount the parapet of the enemy's line.[1][2][3]

See also

References
  1. "Civil War (A-L) Medal of Honor Recipients". Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  2. "U.S. Army Medal of Honor Recipients". Retrieved 18 October 2013.
  3. "Buffington, John E." Retrieved 18 October 2013.
  4. Engle, Donna R. (21 August 1997). "Carroll's Civil War hero Honor: John Buffington, the only county man to receive the Medal of Honor in the Civil War, will be feted during Celebrate Taneytown on Saturday, when a wreath is placed on his grave". Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  5. "John E. Buffington's Medal of Honor". Archived from the original on 4 June 2012. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  6. "Sixth Regiment of Maryland Infantry Descendants Association". Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  7. Knauer, Carrie Ann (29 March 2008). "Civil War veteran to be honored". Archived from the original on 20 October 2013. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
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