John Green | |
|---|---|
 John Green, Medal of Honor recipient | |
| Born | (1825-11-20)November 20, 1825 |
| Died | November 22, 1908(1908-11-22) (aged 83) |
| Place of burial | Morris Hill Cemetery |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Branch |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1846–1848, 1852–1889 |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel BrevetBrigadier General |
| Unit | Regiment of Mounted Riflemen |
| Commands | 1st Cavalry Regiment |
| Battles / wars | Mexican–American War American Civil War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor National Association of Veterans of Mexican War Medal |
John Green (November 20, 1825 – November 22, 1908) was aUnited Statescavalry officer who received theMedal of Honor for his bravery and leadership at theFirst Battle of the Stronghold during theModoc War.
Green was born in the German territory ofWürttemberg in 1825, and in 1832 his parents brought the family of one girl and five boys toCrawford County,Ohio. Green helped his father on the family farm, and in winter months he attended school. At age 14 he was apprenticed to a carpenter in the county, but he returned home after one month. At age 16 he was sent to live with his brother in Columbus to learn cabinetmaking, but his apprenticeship ended after only two weeks. Green left home and found employment as a Columbus store clerk, a job that lasted four years. When a recruiter from the Mountain Rifle Regiment opened an office in Columbus in 1846, Green and a friend enlisted in the army. Green was promoted to sergeant at Newport, Kentucky, after one month of duty.[1]
Green entered the army July 1, 1846. He fought in theMexican–American War under GeneralWinfield Scott as afirst sergeant of the U.S. Mounted Rifles. He was discharged in August 1848, but he re-enlisted with the same regiment in September 1852. By the time theAmerican Civil War began, Green was afirst lieutenant of the 2nd Dragoons. On August 13, 1861, he was promoted to captain and served with the same regiment throughout the war, though it was renamed the 2nd Cavalry Regiment. He received abrevet promotion to major for service at theBattle of Gettysburg and to lieutenant colonel for service during the war.[2]
Green was promoted tomajor of the 1st Cavalry Regiment in June 1868, and fought against the Apaches in Arizona. He was in command atFort Klamath,Oregon when theModoc War began. He earned the Medal of Honor during theFirst Battle of the Stronghold though the U.S. forces were defeated. ColonelAlvan C. Gillem, commanding officer of the 1st Cavalry, assumed command of the expedition against the Modocs. Green commanded a battalion of cavalry and infantry under Gillem during theSecond Battle of the Stronghold in which U.S. forces succeeded in capturingCaptain Jack's Stronghold. Green retired in 1889 after serving as commander ofFort Boise and alternately as commander ofFort Walla Walla.[1] He received a brevet promotion tobrigadier general in 1890.[3]
At theFirst Battle of the Stronghold during theModoc War Green's men displayed a reluctance to fightModoc warriors, who had been inflicting casualties on their unit. Green left cover, and, standing in full view of the Modoc warriors, proceeded to pace in front of his men, slapping his gloves in his palm for emphasis. Although exposed to enemy fire, Green survived, although he was injured, and remained in command.[2]
Rank and Organization: Major, 1st U.S. Cavalry. Place and Date: At the Lava Beds, Calif., January 17, 1873. Entered Service At: Ohio. Birth: Germany. Date of Issue: November 18, 1897.[2]
In order to reassure his command, this officer, in the most fearless manner and exposed to very great danger, walked in front of the line; the command, thus encouraged, advanced over the lava upon the Indians who were concealed among the rocks.
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