John Snyders Kenyon

Returning under fire to save a wounded cavalryman

John Snyders Kenyon was born on May 5, 1843, in Grosvenors Corners, New York. He served as a sergeant in Company D, 3rd New York Cavalry during the Civil War.

On May 15, 1862, at Trenton, North Carolina, Kenyon voluntarily left a withdrawing column and returned through enemy fire to a wounded man. He helped the casualty onto a horse, enabling him to escape capture or death. His Medal of Honor recognized that rescue.

The medal was presented on September 28, 1897, more than thirty-five years after the action. Kenyon died on February 16, 1902, and is buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Syracuse, New York. His citation preserves the record of his courage in returning for a comrade.

Official Medal of Honor citation:

Voluntarily left a retiring column, returned in the face of the enemy's fire, helped a wounded man upon a horse, and so enabled him to escape capture or death.