Joshua Chamberlain's Medal of Honor Returned-- Part 3

After Chamberlain's death in 1914, the original Medal of Honor found its way through generations of descendants until the last-living one, granddaughter Rosamond Allen, died in 2000. Her estate was donated to the First Parish Church of Duxbury in Massachusetts. The medal was found among several books bought during a church fundraiser sale.

The finder, and donor, had previously attempted to send the medal back, but had misaddressed the envelope.

After the war, Chamberlain was a professor, college president and state governor and was very proud of his Medal of Honor, wearing it quite often.

It is made of brass and dulled by time and wear. Its suspension ribbon, both the 1893 and 1896 ones are slightly ragged.

You can see his 1907 Medal of Honor Monday-Fridays at Bowdoin College.

--Old Secesh