Leopold Karpeles

Leopold Karpeles (1838–1909) was a flagbearer in the Union Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the American Civil War.

Biography
Born in Prague, to a Jewish family, Leopold moved to Texas when he was young. When war broke out and Texas seceded, he moved away to Massachusetts, where he enlisted.

Karpeles received the Medal of Honor for rallying retreating troops, inducing them to check the enemy's advance while under heavy fire on May 6, 1864, during the Battle of the Wilderness.

Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company E, 57th Massachusetts Infantry. Place and date: At Wilderness, Va., May 6, 1864. Entered service at: Springfield, Mass. Birth: Hungary. Date of issue: April 30, 1870.

Citation:

"While color bearer, rallied the retreating troops and induced them to check the enemy's advance."