b. 31/12/1837 Somerset, Pennsylvania. d. 11/05/1919 Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 06/04/1865 Sayler’s Creek, Virginia.
Francis M Cunningham MOH
Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient. Served during the Civil War as a First Sergeant in Company H, 1st West Virginia Volunteer Cavalry. He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery at the Battle of Sailors Creek, Virginia on April 6, 1865. His citation reads “Capture of battle flag of 12th Virginia Infantry (C.S.A.) in hand-to-hand battle while wounded”. His Medal was awarded to him on May 3, 1865. He was one of fourteen 1st West Virginia Cavalry soldiers to be awarded the Medal of Honor for bravery during the Civil War (the others being Private James F. Adams, Corporal Thomas Anderson, Lieutenant Wilmon W. Blackmar, Captain Hugh P. Boon, Sergeant Richard Boury, Major Charles E. Capehart, Colonel Henry Capehart, Commissary Sergeant William Houlton, Private Archibald Rowand, Chief Bugler Charles Schorn, Corporal Emisire Shahan, Sergeant Levi Shoemaker, and Private Daniel A. Woods).
MOH CITATION:
Capture of battle flag of 12th Virginia Infantry (Confederate States of America) in hand-to-hand battle while wounded.
BURIAL LOCATION: SUGAR GROVE CEMETERY, OHIOPYLE, PENNSYLVANIA.
SECTION 140
LOCATION OF MEDAL: FAYETTE COUNTY COURTHOUSE, UNIONTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA.
