Benjamin Levy
| Benjamin Bennett Levy | |
|---|---|
 Black and white portrait photograph of Benjamin Levy | |
| Born |
1845 New York City, New York |
| Died |
1921 (aged 75–76) Brooklyn, New York |
| Place of burial | Cypress Hill Cemetery, Brooklyn |
| Allegiance |
United States of America Union |
| Service/branch |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861 - 1863, 1864 - 1865 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit | 1st New York Infantry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
Benjamin Bennett Levy (22 February 1845 - 20 July 1921) was a Private in the Union Army and a Medal of Honor recipient for his actions in the American Civil War. His younger brother, Robert Levy, also served as a drummer, with the 7th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment.
Biography
After Benjamin's drum was destroyed during the Battle of Glendale (Frayser's Farm) on 30 June 1862, he took the weapon of his ill tent mate, Jacob Turnbull, and joined the fight. Shortly thereafter, he saw the color bearer, Charley Mahorn, fall from a bullet wound to the chest; Levy picked up Mahorn's flag and joined the charge.
Levy enlisted with the 1st New York Infantry Regiment from Newport News, Virginia in October 1861, and mustered out in May 1863.[1] He re-enlisted with the 40th New York Infantry Regiment in January 1864 and was discharged due to disability in May 1865. [2]
Benjamin Levy died 20 July 1921 in Brooklyn, New York and is buried there in Cypress Hill Cemetery.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Private, Company B, 1st New York Infantry. Place and date: At Glendale, Va., June 30, 1862. Entered service at: ------. Birth: New York, N.Y. Date of issue: March 1, 1865.
Citation:
This soldier, a drummer boy, took the gun of a sick comrade, went into the fight, and when the color bearers were shot down, carried the colors and saved them from capture.[3]
See also
Notes
- ↑ 1st NY Infantry Regimental roster
- ↑ 40th NY Infantry Regimental Roster
- ↑ ""BENJAMIN LEVY" entry". Medal of Honor recipients: American Civil War. United States Army Center of Military History. June 8, 2009. Retrieved 2008-03-13.
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.
References
- ""First Jewish American Cited for Congressional Medal of Honor"".
- Zullo, Allan (September 2008). Teens at War. USA: Scholastic. pp. 21–34. ISBN 978-0-545-05807-0.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Benjamin Levy. |
- "Benjamin Levy". Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor recipients. Find a Grave. Retrieved 2008-07-02.