The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Lieutenant Colonel Henry Clay Merriam, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 9 April 1865, while serving with 73d U.S. Colored Infantry, in action at Fort Blakely, Alabama. Lieutenant Colonel Merriam volunteered to attack the enemy’s works in advance of orders and, upon permission being given, made a most gallant assault.