Moses Augustine Luce

Turned back into extreme peril to save a helpless soldier.

Moses Augustine Luce turned back toward an advancing enemy to save a wounded comrade who could not escape on his own.

Born in Payson, Illinois, on May 14, 1842, Luce served as a sergeant in Company E, 4th Michigan Infantry. At Laurel Hill, Virginia, on May 10, 1864, he voluntarily returned under immediate danger, reached the helpless soldier, and carried him to safety.

Medal of Honor Citation (condensed): Voluntarily returned in the face of the advancing enemy and, at imminent peril, carried a wounded and helpless comrade to safety.

Luce received the Medal of Honor in 1895. He later lived in San Diego, where he died on April 13, 1933, and was buried in Greenwood Memorial Park.