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★Victoria Cross

A comprehensive archive of decorated U.S. military heroes, objectively ranked by the Unified Scoring Matrix (USM-25). Honoring valor through history.

USM-25.2Scoring Standard

Scored under the Unified Scoring Matrix (USM-25)

Sam Collyer — Victoria Cross

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Heroic Score1001057th out of 4480

Number of Medals2

Total Heroic & Non-Heroic Score1022193 of 4480

U.S. Army#443of 2016

Infantry#417of 1502

American Civil War#10of 1091

Siege of Petersburg#2of 25

Battle of Chaffin's Farm#1of 23

Sam Collyer

Lieutenant, U.S. Army

American Civil WarSiege of PetersburgBattle of Chaffin's Farm

Awards & Decorations

Medal of Honor
Civil War Campaign Medal

Ribbon Rack

Biography

Sam Collyer was a bare-knuckle boxer and the American Lightweight Champion. Born in France to Scottish parents, he immigrated to the United States as a boy and later served in the U.S. Army during the American Civil War.

Collyer stood 5 feet 5 ½ inches and weighed between 115 and 125 pounds. Despite his diminutive stature, he demonstrated immense courage on the battlefield. For his exceptional actions in 1864, he was recognized with the United States' highest military decoration.

He was officially presented with the Medal of Honor in 1898 for his wartime heroism. Following his military service, he returned to the civilian world, leaving behind a legacy as both a championship fighter and a decorated combat veteran.

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Score Breakdown

Medal of Honor(base 100)

+100

Heroic Score100 pts