Richard Enderlin to Be Inducted Into Ohio's Military Hall of Fame for Valor This May

From the April 18, 2023, Chillicothe (Ohio) News "Recognized  for service:  Local Civil War veteran once saved the life of Nixon's great grandfather" by Shelby Reeves.

Quite the coincidence that I had just found out about Richard Enderlin in the last few weeks and to come across this article.  Like I said, you never know where you're going to go when you start RoadTripping Through History.

Richard Enderlin is getting another honor next month.

The Ohio Military Hall of Fame and Valor was established in 2000 to recognize Ohio servicemen and women who were decorated for heroism while in combat situations.

He is one of 11 members of this year's class to be inducted after his death.  There are a total of 24 honorees who served from trhe Civil War to Operation Enduring Freedom.

His Medal of Honor and another medal are on display at the Ross County  Heritage Center in Chillicothe, Ohio.

--Old Secesh

Some More on Richard Enderlin, Medal of Honor Recipient-- Part 2

From the July 6, 2020, "Medal of Honor Monday:  Army Sgt. Richard Enderelin" by Katie Lange.

Richard Enderlin was born in Baden, Germany on January 11, 1843, but grew up in Chillicothe, Ohio.  As a member of Company B of the 73rd Ohio, he found himself at the Battle of Gettysburg July 1-3, 1863.  

He voluntarily joined in the defense of Cemetery Ridge, thinking that his unit was not directly involved in the battle.  But it turned out that this ridge, in the middle of the Union defense was the main object of Confederate attacks.

He earned his Medal of Honor during the night of July 2-3 when he rescued Private George Nixon, the great-grandfather of future President Richard Nixon.  According to the National Civil War Museum, George Nixon had been seriously wounded and lay between Cemetery Ridge and the Confederate position.

After hearing Nixon's cries of pain, Enderlin put down his instrument (he was a musician) and picked up a rifle and went to Nixon's exposed position at great peril and under heavy fire and dragged him back to safety.

Unfortunately, Nixon did not survive his wounds.  He died several years later and is buried at the National Cemetery at Gettysburg.

--Old Secesh

Richard Enderlin, Medal of Honor Recipient: His MoH Citation

Rank and Organization:  Musician, Company B, 73rd Ohio Infantry.

Place and Date:    Gettysburg, Pennsylvania  1-3 July 1863

Entered service:  At Chillicothe, Ohio

Birth:  Germany

Date of Issue:  September 11, 1897

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CITATION

"The President of the United States on America in the name of  Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Musician Richard Enderlin, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism from 1 to 3 July 1863, while serving with Comapny B, 73rd Ohio Infantry, in action at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

"Musician Enderlin voluntarily took a rifle and served as a soldier in the ranks during the first and second days of the battle.  Voluntarily and at his own imminent peril, went  into the enemy's lines at night and, under sharp fire, rescued a wounded comrade."  (That would be President Nixon's great-grandfather.)

--Old Secesh

Richard Enderlin, Medal of Honor Recipient: Helped President Nixon's Grandfather

From Wikipedia.

Born January 11, 1843 -- Died February 11, 1930

Was a musician and U.S. soldier who received a Medal of Honor  for heroism in the Battle of Gettysburg.

Born in Germany and grew up in Chillicothe, Ohio.  Enlisted in the Army in November 1861.

He thought his unit was not directly engaged in the Battle of Gettysburg, so the bugler voluntarily joined the defense of Cemetery Ridge.  In July 2, 1863, during combat, George Nixon III (the grandfather of President Richard Nixon) was mortally wounded and was carried out of harm's way by Enderlin.

For this action, he was promoted to sergeant the next day and received a Medal of Honor for it on September 11, 1897.

He was later wounded in the foot at the Battle of Dallas (in the Atlanta Campaign).  He served the rest of the war in the  Veteran Reserve Corps until his discharge in May 1865.

Enderlin is buried at Grandview Cemetery in Chillicothe, Ohio.

--Old Secesh