b. 1826 Alsace-Lorraine, France. d. 16/01/1889 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 02/05/1863 Chancellorsville, Virginia.
Civil War Medal of Honor Recipent. Served in the Civil War as a Private in Company A, 74th New York Volunteer Infantry. He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery at the Battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia, on May 2, 1863. His citation reads “Voluntarily and under heavy fire advanced toward the enemy’s lines and secured valuable information.” Three other 74th New York soldiers had volunteered to perform the dangerous reconnaissance, which was requested by Union General Hiram G. Berry, and was done in the night after Stonewall Jackson had crushed the Union Army of the Potomac’s Right Flank. Without the Rebels discovering them, the four soldiers heard the accidental shooting of General Jackson by his own men, and were able to return with that information, as well as information about the location of the Confederate troops. When they returned to Union lines, they heard that General Berry had been mortally wounded, and that one of his last request were that the scouting party be rewarded. His Medal was issued on November 26, 1884. The three other 74th New York scouts were Private Felix Brannigan, Sergeant Major Eugene P. Jacobson, and Sergeant Gotlieb Luty, all of which were awarded the CMOH for this act as well.
MOH CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private Joseph Gion, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 2 May 1863, while serving with Company A, 74th New York Infantry, in action at Chancellorsville, Virginia. Voluntarily and under heavy fire, Private Gion advanced toward the enemy’s lines and secured valuable information.
BURIAL LOCATION: ST MARTINS CEMETERY, PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.
SECTION A, LOT 69
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.
