Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Stories of Sacrifice
U.S. Civil War - U.S. Army
Benjamin F Hilliker
Details
- Rank: Musician
- Conflict/Era: U.S. Civil War
- Unit/Command:
Company A,
8th Wisconsin Infantry - Military Service Branch: U.S. Army
- Medal of Honor Action Date: June 4, 1863
- Medal of Honor Action Place: Mechanicsburg, Mississippi, USA
Citation
When men were needed to oppose a superior Confederate force he laid down his drum for a rifle and proceeded to the front of the skirmish line which was about 120 feet from the enemy. While on this volunteer mission and firing at the enemy he was hit in the head with a minie ball which passed through him. An order was given to "lay him in the shade; he won't last long." He recovered from this wound being left with an ugly scar.
Additional Details
- Accredited to: Waupaca Township, Waupaca County, Wisconsin
- Awarded Posthumously: No
- Presentation Date & Details: December 17, 1897
- Born: May 23, 1843, Golden, Erie County, NY, United States
- Died: October 18, 1916, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Buried: Inglewood Cemetery (12-308-3), Hollywood, CA, United States
- Location of Medal: Lincoln Memorial Shrine, A.K. Smiley Public Library, Redlands, CA