Benjamin Levy

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, during the American Civil War.

Levy enlisted in the Army from Newport News, Virginia in October 1861, and was mustered out with his regiment May 1863.

After Benjamin's drum was destroyed during a battle, he took the weapon of his ill tent mate, Jacob Turnbull, and joined the battle. Shortly thereafter he saw the color bearer, Charley Mahorn, fall from a bullet wound to the chest, and picked up Mahorn's flag and joined the charge.

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."