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★Victoria Cross

A comprehensive archive of decorated military heroes from Commonwealth, American, and allied traditions, ranked by the Unified Scoring Matrix (USM-25). Honouring valour through history.

USM-25.2Scoring Standard

Scored under the Unified Scoring Matrix (USM-25)

William W. Kendall — Victoria Cross

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Heroic Score100955th out of 4539

Number of Medals2

Total Heroic & Non-Heroic Score1021856 of 4539

U.S. Army#396of 2023

Infantry#373of 1570

American Civil War#8of 1095

Black River Bridge#1of 1

Mississippi#1of 6

William W. Kendall

First Sergeant, U.S. Army

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American Civil WarBlack River BridgeMississippi

Awards & Decorations

Medal of Honor
Civil War Campaign Medal

Ribbon Rack

Biography

During the Civil War, First Sergeant William W. Kendall was serving in Company A of the 49th Indiana Infantry. On May 22, 1863, his company’s officers were cut down by Confederate fire at Vicksburg, Mississippi, leaving the troops leaderless. Kendall immediately took command, leading a volunteer assault against the enemy fort and being the first to breach the defenses. His heroism helped the unit breach the fort and capture both weapons and prisoners. For this action, he received the nation's highest military honor the Medal of Honor.

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Score Breakdown

Medal of Honor(base 100)

+100

Heroic Score100 pts