Wallace W. Johnson

Wallace W. Johnson (December 30, 1842 – December 30, 1911) was a soldier from Pennsylvania who fought in the American Civil War. He received the United States' highest medal for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during the Battle of Gettysburg 2 July 1863. He was issued the medal on 8 August 1900.

Wallace Johnson
Born(1842-12-30)December 30, 1842
Newfield, New York
DiedDecember 30, 1911(1911-12-30) (aged 69)
Berks County, Pennsylvania
Buried
West Laurel Hill Cemetery
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branchUnion Army
RankSergeant
Unit Company G, 6th Pennsylvania Reserves
Battles/warsAmerican Civil War
 • Battle of Gettysburg
Awards Medal of Honor

Biography

Johnson was born December 30, 1842, in Newfield, New York, and when the American Civil War broke out he enlisted into Company G, 6th Pennsylvania Reserves (also known as the 35th Pennsylvania Infantry) at Waverly, New York.[1]

On the second day of fighting in the Battle of Gettysburg Union forces had been forced to fall back due to the superior numbers of the opposing Confederate force. As more Union troops arrived to fight however the battle started to shift.[1] In an area known as Devil's Den, Johnson, along with J. Levi Roush, John W. Hart, George Mears, Chester S. Furman and Thaddeus S. Smith volunteered to attack a small log cabin being held by Confederate forces.[1] Although they attempted to approach the cabin by stealth, they were spotted and began taking fire from the enemy force locked inside.[1] Johnson and the other men rushed through the enemy fire and forced their way into the cabin.[1] Before they could start shooting the confederate soldiers surrendered and were taken back to Union lines as prisoners. For their actions during this incident, all six men received the Medal of Honor.[1]

Johnson was mustered out of the military June 11, 1864, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.[1] After the war Johnson returned to Pennsylvania and died December 30, 1911, in Berks County, Pennsylvania.[2] He is buried at West Laurel Hill Cemetery in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania.[1][2] His grave can be found in the Edgewood section, lot 174.[2]

Medal of Honor citation

With five other volunteers gallantly charged on a number of the enemy's sharpshooters concealed in a log house, captured them, and brought them into the Union lines.[3][4]

See also

References
  1. Charles Hanna (2010). Gettysburg Medal of Honor Recipients. Wallace Johnson. Cedar Fort. pp. 81–82. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  2. "Wallace W. Johnson". Find a Grave. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  3. "Medal of Honor recipients". American Civil War (G-L): Johnson, Wallace entry. United States Army Center of Military History. 13 August 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  4. "Wallace W. Johnson". Hall of Valor. Military Times. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
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