John Wainwright (Medal of Honor)
Encyclopedia
John Wainwright was an American military officer during the American Civil War
. He received the Medal of Honor
for gallantry during the Second Battle of Fort Fisher
on January 15, 1865.
and then being commissioned as Second Lieutenant
and promoted to First Lieutenant
.
On January 15, 1865, the North Carolina
Confederate stronghold of Fort Fisher
was taken by a combined Union storming party of sailors, marines, and soldiers under the command of Admiral David Dixon Porter
and General Alfred Terry
. Wainwright was a brevet
Lieutenant Colonel
and was in command of the 97th Pennsylvania Infantry because the 97th's colonel, Galusha Pennypacker
, was leading a brigade. Both Wainwright and Pennypacker were wounded in the assault on Fort Fisher.
In addition to the Medal of Honor, Wainwright was cited for gallantry at the Battle of Chaffin's Farm
on October 7, 1864. He was wounded at James Island on June 12, 1862. Wainwright was promoted to full Colonel
on June 1, 1865. He mustered out of the army at Weldon, North Carolina
on August 28, 1865.
General Orders: Date of Issue: June 24, 1890
Action Date: January 15, 1865
Service: Army
Rank: First Lieutenant
Company: Company F
Division: 97th Pennsylvania Infantry
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. He received the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for gallantry during the Second Battle of Fort Fisher
Second Battle of Fort Fisher
The Second Battle of Fort Fisher was a joint assault by Union Army and naval forces against Fort Fisher, outside Wilmington, North Carolina, near the end of the American Civil War...
on January 15, 1865.
Military service
Wainwright volunteered for service in the Union Army in 1861 as a private in Company G, 2nd Pennsylvania Infantry. After completing his 90 day enlistment, Wainwright joined the 97th Pennsylvania Infantry as a private. He rose rapidly in the ranks becoming First SergeantFirst Sergeant
First sergeant is the name of a military rank used in many countries, typically a senior non-commissioned officer.-Singapore:First Sergeant is a Specialist in the Singapore Armed Forces. First Sergeants are the most senior of the junior Specialists, ranking above Second Sergeants, and below Staff...
and then being commissioned as Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
and promoted to First Lieutenant
First Lieutenant
First lieutenant is a military rank and, in some forces, an appointment.The rank of lieutenant has different meanings in different military formations , but the majority of cases it is common for it to be sub-divided into a senior and junior rank...
.
On January 15, 1865, the North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
Confederate stronghold of Fort Fisher
Fort Fisher
Fort Fisher was a Confederate fort during the American Civil War. It protected the vital trading routes of the port at Wilmington, North Carolina, from 1861 until its capture by the Union in 1865....
was taken by a combined Union storming party of sailors, marines, and soldiers under the command of Admiral David Dixon Porter
David Dixon Porter
David Dixon Porter was a member of one of the most distinguished families in the history of the United States Navy. Promoted as the second man to the rank of admiral, after his adoptive brother David G...
and General Alfred Terry
Alfred Terry
Alfred Howe Terry was a Union general in the American Civil War and the military commander of the Dakota Territory from 1866 to 1869 and again from 1872 to 1886.-Early life and career:...
. Wainwright was a brevet
Brevet (military)
In many of the world's military establishments, brevet referred to a warrant authorizing a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily, but usually without receiving the pay of that higher rank except when actually serving in that role. An officer so promoted may be referred to as being...
Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
and was in command of the 97th Pennsylvania Infantry because the 97th's colonel, Galusha Pennypacker
Galusha Pennypacker
-External links:...
, was leading a brigade. Both Wainwright and Pennypacker were wounded in the assault on Fort Fisher.
In addition to the Medal of Honor, Wainwright was cited for gallantry at the Battle of Chaffin's Farm
Battle of Chaffin's Farm
The Battle of Chaffin's Farm and New Market Heights, also known as Laurel Hill and combats at Forts Harrison, Johnson, and Gilmer, was fought September 29–30, 1864, as part of the Siege of Petersburg in the American Civil War.-Background:...
on October 7, 1864. He was wounded at James Island on June 12, 1862. Wainwright was promoted to full Colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
on June 1, 1865. He mustered out of the army at Weldon, North Carolina
Weldon, North Carolina
Weldon is a town in Halifax County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,374 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Weldon is located at ....
on August 28, 1865.
Medal of Honor citation
For The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to First Lieutenant John Wainwright, United States Army, for gallant and meritorious conduct on 15 January 1865, while serving with Company F, 97th Pennsylvania Infantry, in action at Fort Fisher, North Carolina, where, as first lieutenant, he commanded the regiment.
General Orders: Date of Issue: June 24, 1890
Action Date: January 15, 1865
Service: Army
Rank: First Lieutenant
Company: Company F
Division: 97th Pennsylvania Infantry