Frank Baldwin
Encyclopedia
Frank Dwight Baldwin a native of Constantine, Michigan
, and born in Manchester, Michigan
, is one of only 19 servicemen to receive the Medal of Honor
twice. Baldwin received this award for his actions during the Atlanta Campaign where he led his company to battle at Peachtree Creek and captured two commissioned officers in the American Civil War
. He received his second Medal of Honor for conspicuous bravery in 1874 during the Indian Wars
.
, fighting in all his regiment's battles from 1862 to 1865. Upon the postbellum reorganization of the Regular Army
, he was commissioned into the 19th United States Regular Infantry as a Second Lieutenant. He eventually was assigned to the 5th U.S. Infantry, with whom he fought in the various frontier conflicts with the Indians. His actions in an attack on an Indian village on the Red River in Montana
on December 18, 1876, earned him a brevet
of Captain, U.S. Regular Army (awarded on February 27, 1890).
He served with distinction under General Nelson A. Miles
as chief of scouts during campaigns against Sitting Bull
and Crazy Horse
. Baldwin also served in the Philippines during the Spanish-American War
. He was promoted to Brigadier General
, U.S. Regular Army on June 9, 1902. In 1906, he was advanced to Major General
, after which he retired from active duty.
Baldwin ended his career as adjutant general of the state of Colorado. He died in Denver, Colorado
, and was buried with full military honors in Section 3 of Arlington National Cemetery
. His wife Alice Blackwood Baldwin honored the general's war contributions by compiling and editing the memoirs of her late husband in 1929. Along with General Baldwin, three other two time Medal of Honor recipients are interred in Arlington National Cemetery
(Navy Lieutenant Commander John C. McCloy
, Marine Major Louis Cukela
, and Marine Corporal John Henry Pruitt
).
Baldwin holds the distinction for being the first recipient of the Medal of Honor in different conflicts, first for actions in the Civil War on July 12, 1864 and the second for the Indian Wars, on November 8, 1874.
, July 12, 1864. Date of issue: December 3, 1891. Under a galling fire ahead of his own men, and singly entered the enemy's line, capturing and bringing back two commissioned officers, fully armed, besides a guidon of a Georgia regiment.
, Texas
, November 8, 1874. Citation: Rescued, with 2 companies, 2 white girls by a voluntary attack upon Indians whose superior numbers and strong position would have warranted delay for reinforcements, but which delay would have permitted the Indians to escape and kill their captives.
Veteran's Hall of Fame in 2004 for his distinguished service in the American Civil War. Hall of Fame inductee 016, Civil War inductee 004.
Constantine, Michigan
Constantine is a village in St. Joseph County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,095 at the 2000 census. The village is located within Constantine Township. It is on U.S. Highway 131, leading to Kalamazoo to the north and to the Indiana Toll Road six miles to the south. The...
, and born in Manchester, Michigan
Manchester, Michigan
Manchester is a village in Washtenaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,160 at the 2000 census. The village is located within Manchester Township.-Chicago Road:...
, is one of only 19 servicemen to receive the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
twice. Baldwin received this award for his actions during the Atlanta Campaign where he led his company to battle at Peachtree Creek and captured two commissioned officers in the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. He received his second Medal of Honor for conspicuous bravery in 1874 during the Indian Wars
Indian Wars
American Indian Wars is the name used in the United States to describe a series of conflicts between American settlers or the federal government and the native peoples of North America before and after the American Revolutionary War. The wars resulted from the arrival of European colonizers who...
.
Life and career
Baldwin served through the Civil War in the 19th Michigan Infantry19th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment
The 19th Regiment Michigan Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Service:The 19th Michigan Infantry was mustered into Federal service at Dowagiac, Michigan on September 5, 1862...
, fighting in all his regiment's battles from 1862 to 1865. Upon the postbellum reorganization of the Regular Army
Regular Army
The Regular Army of the United States was and is the successor to the Continental Army as the country's permanent, professional military establishment. Even in modern times the professional core of the United States Army continues to be called the Regular Army...
, he was commissioned into the 19th United States Regular Infantry as a Second Lieutenant. He eventually was assigned to the 5th U.S. Infantry, with whom he fought in the various frontier conflicts with the Indians. His actions in an attack on an Indian village on the Red River in Montana
Montana
Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
on December 18, 1876, earned him a brevet
Brevet (military)
In many of the world's military establishments, brevet referred to a warrant authorizing a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily, but usually without receiving the pay of that higher rank except when actually serving in that role. An officer so promoted may be referred to as being...
of Captain, U.S. Regular Army (awarded on February 27, 1890).
He served with distinction under General Nelson A. Miles
Nelson A. Miles
Nelson Appleton Miles was a United States soldier who served in the American Civil War, Indian Wars, and the Spanish-American War.-Early life:Miles was born in Westminster, Massachusetts, on his family's farm...
as chief of scouts during campaigns against Sitting Bull
Sitting Bull
Sitting Bull Sitting Bull Sitting Bull (Lakota: Tȟatȟáŋka Íyotake (in Standard Lakota Orthography), also nicknamed Slon-he or "Slow"; (c. 1831 – December 15, 1890) was a Hunkpapa Lakota Sioux holy man who led his people as a tribal chief during years of resistance to United States government policies...
and Crazy Horse
Crazy Horse
Crazy Horse was a Native American war leader of the Oglala Lakota. He took up arms against the U.S...
. Baldwin also served in the Philippines during the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
. He was promoted to Brigadier General
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
, U.S. Regular Army on June 9, 1902. In 1906, he was advanced to Major General
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
, after which he retired from active duty.
Baldwin ended his career as adjutant general of the state of Colorado. He died in Denver, Colorado
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
, and was buried with full military honors in Section 3 of Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
. His wife Alice Blackwood Baldwin honored the general's war contributions by compiling and editing the memoirs of her late husband in 1929. Along with General Baldwin, three other two time Medal of Honor recipients are interred in Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
(Navy Lieutenant Commander John C. McCloy
John C. McCloy
John McCloy was a sailor in the United States Navy who is one of only 19 individuals to receive the Medal of Honor twice. He received his first Medal of Honor for action in the Boxer Rebellion in June 1900...
, Marine Major Louis Cukela
Louis Cukela
Louis Cukela, born Vjekoslav Lujo Čukela, was a United States Marine numbered among the nineteen two-time recipients of the Medal of Honor. Cukela was awarded the Medal by both the US Army and the US Navy for the same action during the Battle of Soissons in World War I...
, and Marine Corporal John Henry Pruitt
John H. Pruitt
-External links:...
).
Baldwin holds the distinction for being the first recipient of the Medal of Honor in different conflicts, first for actions in the Civil War on July 12, 1864 and the second for the Indian Wars, on November 8, 1874.
Awards
First Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Captain, Company D, 19th Michigan Infantry; First Lieutenant, 5th U.S. Infantry. Place and date: At Peachtree Creek, GeorgiaBattle of Peachtree Creek
The Battle of Peachtree Creek was fought in Georgia on July 20, 1864, as part of the Atlanta Campaign in the American Civil War. It was the first major attack by Lt. Gen. John B. Hood since taking command of the Confederate Army of Tennessee. The attack was against Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman's...
, July 12, 1864. Date of issue: December 3, 1891. Under a galling fire ahead of his own men, and singly entered the enemy's line, capturing and bringing back two commissioned officers, fully armed, besides a guidon of a Georgia regiment.
Second Medal of Honor
Place and date: At McClellan's CreekMcClellan Creek National Grassland
McClellan Creek National Grassland is a National Grassland located in southern Gray County, Texas, USA. It was purchased with the goal of restoring badly eroded land to its natural state. It is now administered under Cibola National Forest. In February 2006, all of McClellan Creek National...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, November 8, 1874. Citation: Rescued, with 2 companies, 2 white girls by a voluntary attack upon Indians whose superior numbers and strong position would have warranted delay for reinforcements, but which delay would have permitted the Indians to escape and kill their captives.
Veteran's Hall of Fame
Inducted into the Hillsdale County, MichiganHillsdale County, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 46,527 people, 17,335 households, and 12,550 families residing in the county. The population density was 78 people per square mile . There were 20,189 housing units at an average density of 34 per square mile...
Veteran's Hall of Fame in 2004 for his distinguished service in the American Civil War. Hall of Fame inductee 016, Civil War inductee 004.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: A–F