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George J. Pitman

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George J. Pitman
Born1839
Wyoming County, New York
DiedApril 30, 1884
Buried
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Allegiance United States of America
Service / branch United States Army
RankSergeant
UnitNew York (state) Company C, 1st New York (Lincoln) Cavalry
Battles / warsBattle of Sailor's Creek
American Civil War
Awards Medal of Honor

Sergeant George J. Pitman (1839 – April 30, 1884) was an American soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Pitman received his country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor.[1] Pitman's medal was won for his capturing of George M Patterson's Battery flag of the 11th Battalion, Georgia Artillery (Sumter's Artillery) at the conclusion of the Battle of Sailor's Creek on April 6, 1865.[1] Pitman was one of three members of the 1st New York (Lincoln) Cavalry who rode to the flag bearers of a Georgia regiment and demanded their flags.[2] He was honored with the award on May 3, 1865.[3]

Pitman was born in Recklestown in New Jersey, and entered service in Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, where he was buried.[1][3]

Medal of Honor citation

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The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Sergeant George J. Pitman, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 6 April 1865, while serving with Company C, 1st New York Cavalry (Lincoln), in action at Deatonsville (Sailor's Creek), Virginia, for capture of flag of the Sumter Heavy Artillery (Confederate States of America).[1]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d "George J. Pitman". Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
  2. ^ James Speicher (2009-10-12). The Sumter Flying Artillery: A Civil War History of the Eleventh Battalion Georgia Light Artillery. Pelican Publishing. pp. 247–. ISBN 978-1-4556-1267-3.
  3. ^ a b "Civil War (M-P) Medal of Honor Recipients". Archived from the original on June 6, 2014. Retrieved June 8, 2014.