Andrew Jackson Smith (Medal of Honor)

At Honey Hill, the 55th Massachusetts lost its color sergeant in the middle of a punishing advance. Corporal Andrew Jackson Smith took up the regimental colors and carried them through heavy fire, saving them from capture.

Andrew Jackson Smith was born September 3, 1843, in Lyon County, Kentucky. During the period relevant to his Medal of Honor, he served as Corporal with 55th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry.

On November 30, 1864, at Honey Hill, South Carolina, he performed the action that led to the award. The surviving record fixes the core event clearly and allows the account to be told without adding unsupported detail.

Medal of Honor Citation

Took the regimental colors after the color sergeant was killed and carried them through heavy grape and canister fire throughout the battle.

The Medal of Honor was presented January 16, 2001, presented posthumously to his family. His highest recorded rank was Color Sergeant. He died January 29, 1932, at Grand Rivers, Kentucky. He was buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery at Grand Rivers, Kentucky.

His record is strongest when kept close to the documented action: the unit, place, date, and conduct for which the Medal of Honor was awarded.