| Harlan J. Swift | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 2, 1843 |
| Died | October 6, 1910 (aged 67) |
| Place of birth | New Hudson, New York |
| Place of death | Lakeview, New York |
| Buried at | Cuba Cemetery, Cuba, New York |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America |
| Service/branch | U.S. Army |
| Rank | Second Lieutenant |
| Unit |
 Company H, 2nd New York Militia Regiment |
| Battles/wars | Battle of the Crater |
| Awards |
 Medal of Honor |
Second Lieutenant Harlan J. Swift (October 2, 1843 – October 6, 1910) was a soldier from New York who fought in the American Civil War. Swift received the United States' highest medal for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action during the Battle of the Crater in Petersburg, Virginia on 30 July 1864. He was presented the medal on 20 July 1897.
Biography[edit | edit source]
Swift was born October 2, 1843 in New Hudson, New York and was commissioned into Company H, 2nd New York Militia Regiment from New York.
While fighting in the Battle of the Crater on 30 July 1864, Second Lieutenant Swift advanced with his regiment, capturing the enemy's line. He saw four Confederate soldiers moving toward their second line fighting position and went after them alone and compelled them to surrender. He then returned to his regiment with the four prisoners. 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 20 July 1897.[1][2]
Swift died October 6, 1910 in Lakeview, New York and is buried in Cuba Cemetery in Cuba, New York[2][3]
Medal of Honor citation[edit | edit source]
Having advanced with his regiment and captured the enemy's line, saw 4 of the enemy retiring toward their second line of works. He advanced upon them alone, compelled their surrender and regained his regiment with the 4 prisoners.[1][2]
See also[edit | edit source]
- List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: Q–S
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Battle of the Crater
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Medal of Honor recipients". American Civil War (M-Z). United States Army Center of Military History. 27 June 2011. http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/civwarmz.html. Retrieved April 29, 2017.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Harlan J. Swift". Military Times. http://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient.php?recipientid=1191. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
- ↑ "Harlan J. Swift". Find a Grave. http://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7204986. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
