Civil War MOH recipient inducted into Pentagon’s Hall of Heroes

Theresa Chandler, the great-great-granddaughter of U.S. Army Pvt. George D. Wilson, and Gerald Taylor, the great-great-grandson of Pvt. Philip G. Shadrach, unveil the Hall of Heroes plaque during the Hall of Heroes induction ceremony and the unveiling of the virtual Medal of Honor Wall Museum at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, July 4, 2024. Shadrach and Wilson were recognized for their valor during the “Great Locomotive Chase” in April 1862 in the American Civil War. (Daniel Hernandez/US Army)

Privates Philip Shadrach and George Wilson, two soldiers who served in the Civil War, were posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on Wednesday.

On Thursday, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin hosted a Hall of Heroes induction ceremony at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. The Hall of Heroes honors the names of all service members who have been awarded the Medal of Honor.

“The very first recipients of the Medal of Honor were a small group called the Andrews’ Raiders, named after a Union Army spy, James Andrews, who led one of the most daring operations of the entire Civil War,” Biden said. “Two soldiers … died in that operation but never received that recognition. Today we right that wrong. They finally get the recognition they deserve.”

Austin and Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth presented induction plaques to the descendants of Civil War heroes.

U.S. Secretary of the Army Christine E. Wormuth presents the Medal of Honor plaque to Theresa Chandler, the great-great-granddaughter of U.S. Army Private George D. Wilson, during the Hall of Heroes induction ceremony and the unveiling of the virtual Medal of Honor Wall Museum at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, July 4, 2024. (Daniel Hernandez/Department of Defense)

Descendants of U.S. Army Pvt. Philip G. Shadrach pose for a photo before the Hall of Heroes induction ceremony at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, July 4, 2024. Shadrach and Pvt. George D. Wilson were posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for their valor during the “Great Locomotive Chase” in April 1862 in the Civil War at the White House on July 3, 2024. (Daniel Hernandez/US Army)

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III delivers remarks during the Hall of Heroes induction ceremony honoring U.S. Army Pvts. Philip G. Shadrach and George D. Wilson at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, July 4, 2024. (Bernardo Fuller/US Army)

The plaques honoring Pvt. Philip G. Shadrach and Pvt. George D. Wilson in the Hall of Heroes on Thursday, July 4, 2004, at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. The soldiers received the Medal of Honor (posthumously) for their extraordinary valor while participating in a secret military operation 200 miles behind Confederate lines on April 12, 1862. (Jackie Sanders/Department of Defense)

In one of the first special operations in Army history, Union soldiers disguised themselves as civilians and infiltrated the Confederacy, hijacked a train and drove it 87 miles north, destroying enemy infrastructure. During the operation, which became known as the Great Locomotive Chase, six of the Union soldiers became the first recipients of the newly created Medal of Honor, according to the Army.

Nineteen of the 22 Union soldiers received the Medal of Honor. One soldier was offered the medal but declined because he did not fully participate. Wilson and Shadrach were the last members of Andrews’ Raiders to be honored with the nation’s highest award for combat valor.

“The names of Pvt. Philip Shadrach and Pvt. George Wilson will forever be inscribed in the Hall of Heroes alongside their fellow Raiders,” Austin said. “Their medals are new, but their courage is eternal. On this Independence Day, their story reminds us of the American patriots who risked everything for our freedom and our unity and for our future of freedom under the law. Their story not only inspires us, it challenges us. So we are not just here to honor their sacrifice, we are here to live up to their example.”