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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)

Samuel Grimshaw — Victoria Cross

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Service Profile

Branch: U.S. Army
Rank: Private
Service Era: American Civil War, Western Theater of the American Civil War, Atlanta campaign, Battle of Utoy Creek
Medals Recorded: 2

Samuel Grimshaw

Private, U.S. Army

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American Civil WarWestern Theater of the American Civil WarAtlanta campaignBattle of Utoy Creek

Awards & Decorations

Medal of Honor
Civil War Campaign Medal post-1913 Army

Ribbon Rack

Biography

Grabbed a burning artillery shell and tossed it to save men.

Samuel Grimshaw's Medal of Honor action lasted only moments, but those moments may have saved many lives. A private in Company B, 52nd Ohio Infantry, he was fighting near Atlanta on 6 August 1864 when a live artillery shell landed among his company.

Instead of seeking cover, Grimshaw seized the dangerous shell and threw it away before it exploded. The act removed the immediate threat to the soldiers around him and was later recognized with the Medal of Honor.

Medal of Honor Citation (condensed)

When a lighted shell fell among his company near Atlanta, Grimshaw picked it up and threw it away, saving his comrades from the explosion.

Born in Jefferson County, Ohio, on 2 March 1840, Grimshaw later reached the rank of corporal. He died at Holton, Kansas, on 9 November 1918 and was buried in Holton Cemetery.

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