Medal of Honor: Brigadier General John Henry Patterson - Colonie, NY

Brigadier General John Henry Patterson

Colonie, NY

N 42° 42.339 W 073° 43.870

Short Description: 

The grave of Medal of Honor recipient Brigadier General John Henry Patterson is located in section 42, lot 13 of Albany Rural Cemetery in the the Menands section of Colonie, NY.

Long Description:

A monument with an ornate pointed arch top marks the grave of Brigadier General John Henry Patterson. The back of the monument contains a bronze medal of Honor Plaque. The front of the monument is has a relief image of the Medal of Honor and is inscribed:

JOHN HENRY PATTERSON 

BRIGADIER GENERAL

UNITED STATES ARMY

February 10, 1843

October 5, 1920

GRACE HALLAM LEARNED

HIS WIFE

October 31, 1859

October 29, 1924

The bronze Medal of Honor plaque is inscribed:

JOHN HENRY PATTERSON 

MEDAL OF HONOR 

BRIG GEN US ARMY

CIVIL WAR

FEB 10 1843 OCT 5 1920

John Henry Patterson was serving with the 11th U.S. Infantry. As a 1st Lieutenant, he was awarded the Medal of Honor on July 23, 1897 for his actions on May 5, 1864, during the Battle of the Wilderness. According to his Medal of Honor citation:

Under the heavy fire of the advancing enemy, picked up and carried several hundred yards to a place of safety a wounded officer of his regiment who was helpless and would otherwise have been burned in the forest.