Benjamin F. Tracy

At the Wilderness, Colonel Benjamin Franklin Tracy took the colors himself after nearby Union regiments gave way. He led his men forward, re-formed the line, and held it.

Tracy was born on April 26, 1830, at Owego, New York. A lawyer and state legislator before the war, he helped raise New York volunteer regiments and became colonel of the 109th New York Infantry.

On May 6, 1864, during the Wilderness fighting, Tracy seized the colors and rallied his regiment when other troops had retired. His leadership under fire became the basis of his Medal of Honor.

Medal of Honor Citation

Seized the colors and led the regiment when other regiments had retired and then reformed his line and held it.

Tracy was wounded in the Wilderness but returned to military service and later received the brevet rank of brigadier general. After the war he served as a federal prosecutor, judge, and, from 1889 to 1893, Secretary of the Navy. He died in New York City on August 6, 1915, and was buried in Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.

His record is best understood through the documented service, action, and award rather than by filling gaps with unsupported detail.