b. 18/07/1835 Grossleiton, Prussia (now Germany). d. 11/10/1903 St Louis, Missouri.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 28-29/04/1863 Grand Gulf, Mississippi.
Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. Born in Grossleiton, Prussia, at the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted in the Union Army from St. Louis, Missouri. On April 28 and 29, 1863, U.S. Naval forces were engaged with the Confederate batteries along the Mississippi River at Grand Gulf, Mississippi. During this action, the steamer Cheeseman became unmanageable and was subjected to heavy fire. Private Pesch with three members of Company A, of the 1st Missouri Light Artillery, voluntarily took up positions on the steamer. Throughout the perilous engagement, he took charge of all guns and ammunition on the steamer’s battery. For Gallantry in the face of the enemy, he was awarded the Medal of Honor on March 10, 1896. He died at age 68 in St. Louis, Missouri.
MOH CITATION:
With two comrades voluntarily took position on board the steamer Cheeseman, in charge of all the guns and ammunition of the battery, and remained in charge of the same, although the steamer became unmanageable and was exposed for some time to a heavy fire from the enemy.
BURIAL LOCATION: BELLEFONTAINE CEMETERY, ST LOUIS, MISSOURI.
BLOCK 281, LOT 4537.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: WILSON’S CREEK BATTLEFIELD MUSEUM (NPS), REPUBLIC, MISSOURI.
