Richard Enderlin

Musician and Medal of Honor recipient

What is Richard Enderlin known for?

Richard Enderlin, born on January 11, 1843, in the Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany, grew up to be a significant figure in American history. After moving to Chillicothe, Ohio, he made a name for himself as both a musician and a soldier during the American Civil War.

Enderlin enlisted with the United States Army in November 1861, serving until 1865. Particularly notable was his bravery during the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863. Despite primarily serving as a musician, Enderlin voluntarily took up arms and joined the front-line defense. His valiant actions during this pivotal conflict included the heroic rescue of a mortally wounded comrade, George Nixon III, who was the great-grandfather of former American President Richard Nixon. For his heroism, Enderlin was promoted to the rank of sergeant and later received the prestigious Medal of Honor on September 11, 1897.

After being wounded in his right foot at the Battle of Dallas, Enderlin served in the Veteran Reserve Corps until his discharge in May 1865. He passed away on February 11, 1930, at the age of 87, and was buried at the Grandview Cemetery in Chillicothe, Ohio.

You can learn more about the details of Enderlin's Medal of Honor citation from Gettysburg Medal of Honor recipients. For a broader context of the war, you can refer to Frederick H. Dyer's A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, or Samuel H. Hurst's Journal-History of the Seventy-Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

Among Enderlin's many achievements, being a Medal of Honor recipient for his actions during the Battle of Gettysburg is perhaps the most notable. His story serves as a testament to his courage, dedication, and selflessness during one of the most critical periods in American history.