John Kinsey (Medal of Honor)

Corporal John Kinsey (1842-December 19, 1904) was a soldier from Pennsylvania who fought in the American Civil War. Kinsey received the United States' highest medal for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action during the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House in Spotsylvania, Virginia on 18 May 1864. He was presented the medal on 2 March 1897.

Biography
Kinsey was born in 1842 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and enlisted into Company B, 45th Pennsylvania Infantry from Pennsylvania.

While fighting in the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House on 18 May 1864, Corporal Kinsey captured the colors after the color bearer had been shot and saved them from being captured by Confederate forces. For his actions during this battle, he received the United States military's highest, and at that time only, medal for bravery in combat, the Medal of Honor. The medal was presented to him on 2 March 1897. Kinsey died December 19, 1904 and is buried in Crown Hill Cemetery Indianapolis, Indiana. His grave can be found in section 21, lot 1.