Benjamin W. Schenck (August 12, 1837 – February 19, 1916) was a Union Army soldier in the American Civil War who received the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.[1]

Benjamin W. Schenck
Born(1837-08-12)August 12, 1837
Butler County, Ohio
DiedFebruary 19, 1916(1916-02-19) (aged 78)
Buried
AllegianceUnited States
Service / branchUnited States Army
RankPrivate
UnitCompany D, 116th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment
Battles / warsAmerican Civil War
AwardsMedal of Honor

Schenck was born in Butler County, Ohio on August 12, 1837, and entered service at Maroa, Illinois. He was awarded the Medal of Honor, for extraordinary heroism on May 22, 1863, while serving as a Private with Company D, 116th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment, at Vicksburg, Mississippi. His Medal of Honor was issued on August 14, 1894.[2]

He died at the age of 78, on February 19, 1916, and was buried at the Greenwood Cemetery in Decatur, Illinois.

Medal of Honor citation

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The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private Benjamin W. Schenck, United States Army, for gallantry in the charge of the volunteer storming party on 22 May 1863, while serving with Company D, 116th Illinois Infantry, in action at Vicksburg, Mississippi.[3]

References

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  1. ^ "Medal of Honor Recipients". United States Army Center of Military History. Archived from the original on 16 July 2015. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
  2. ^ "SCHENCK, BENJAMIN W." Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
  3. ^ "Valor awards for Benjamin W. Schenck". Military Times, Hall of Valor. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
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  This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.