Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Stories of Sacrifice
U.S. Civil War - U.S. Army
John Kinsey
Details
- Also Known As: McKenzie, John
- Rank: Corporal
- Conflict/Era: U.S. Civil War
- Unit/Command:
Company B,
45th Pennsylvania Infantry - Military Service Branch: U.S. Army
- Medal of Honor Action Date: May 18, 1864
- Medal of Honor Action Place: Spotsylvania, Virginia, USA
Citation
Seized the colors, the color bearer having been shot, and with great gallantry succeeded in saving them from capture.
Additional Details
- Accredited to: Maytown, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
- Awarded Posthumously: No
- Presentation Date & Details: March 2, 1897
- Born: 1844, Lancaster County, PA, United States
- Died: December 19, 1904, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Buried: Crown Hill Cemetery (PM) (21-1-10), Indianapolis, IN, United States
From the CMOHS Archives
This Medal of Honor Recipient gave his name as "John Kinsey" with a birthplace in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, when he enlisted in the 48th Pennsylvania Infantry in January 1862. He later continued his military service under alias when he enlisted in Co. H, 5th US Infantry in 1866, but gave his birthplace as Balitmore, Maryland. There is no record for why he used this alias when his true name was John McKenzie with a birthplace in Baltimore, Maryland.
His official military record continues to reflect the biographical information he gave at the time of his first enlistment.