Medal of Honor Recipient. A sergeant major, he was issued the award on November 8, 1871 upon his 7th reenlistment, and is one of only two people who received award for his entire military career rather than a single action. He emigrated from Germany in the 1830s and joined the US Infantry in February 1839. He left the Army in 1844 and two years later he joined the 1st Engineer Battalion and served in the Mexican-American War. During the American Civil War, he was responsible for training volunteer recruits into combat engineers. In September 1864, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant major, becoming the senior enlisted soldier in the US Army Corps of Engineers and WAS the first person to hold that rank in the organization. He was then appointed adjutant of the Corps of Engineers in February 1867. He remained in the US Army until his death at the age of 75. His Medal of Honor citation reads: "Distinguished gallantry in many actions and in recognition of long, faithful, and meritorious services covering a period of 32 years."
Medal of Honor Recipient. A sergeant major, he was issued the award on November 8, 1871 upon his 7th reenlistment, and is one of only two people who received award for his entire military career rather than a single action. He emigrated from Germany in the 1830s and joined the US Infantry in February 1839. He left the Army in 1844 and two years later he joined the 1st Engineer Battalion and served in the Mexican-American War. During the American Civil War, he was responsible for training volunteer recruits into combat engineers. In September 1864, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant major, becoming the senior enlisted soldier in the US Army Corps of Engineers and WAS the first person to hold that rank in the organization. He was then appointed adjutant of the Corps of Engineers in February 1867. He remained in the US Army until his death at the age of 75. His Medal of Honor citation reads: "Distinguished gallantry in many actions and in recognition of long, faithful, and meritorious services covering a period of 32 years."
Bio by: William Bjornstad
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