Minuteman Minute | National Medal of Honor Day

In April 1862, James J. Andrews led 22 volunteers from Ohio infantry regiments on a daring raid deep into Confederate territory to hijack a train and disrupt communication. Of those that survived capture and imprisonment, six received the first Medals of Honor on March 25, 1863, which is now recognized as National Medal of Honor Day.

Hi, I’m Will Roulett, director of the National Guard Memorial Museum here in D.C., and this is YOUR Minuteman Minute! I’m at our Medal of Honor Gallery, which recognizes Guardsmen who have received the nation’s highest military decoration. This diorama depicts the very first action for which Medals of Honor were awarded. On April 12th, 1862, James J. Andrews led 22 volunteers from Ohio’s infantry regiments on a daring raid into Confederate territory. Two hundred miles behind enemy lines, the raiders hijacked a train, cut telegraph wires, destroyed train tracks and wreaked havoc. With Confederate pursuers hot on their tracks, the raiders were forced to scatter when they ran out of fuel. All were captured, and eight were hanged as spies. The remaining raiders were freed in a prisoner exchange in March 1863. Six of Andrews’ raiders were presented with the first Medals of Honor on March 25th, 1863, which is now recognized as National Medal of Honor Day. Come see this – and a whole lot more – at the National Guard Memorial Museum. I’m Will Roulett, and that’s been your Minuteman Minute, brought to you by the National Guard Educational Foundation.