Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Francis
Edwin
Brownell
1840

–

March 15, 1894

Cemetery:

Bellefontaine Cemetery

Initially denied his request for the Medal of Honor in this, the first MOH action of the Civil War, Edwin Brownell enlisted the aid of a Congressman to gain eventual approval of his award.

Awards Received

  • Medal of Honor

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private

    Division:

    11th New York Infantry (Ellsworth’s Zouaves)

    Action Date:

    May 24, 1861
    Date of Issue: January 26, 1877

    The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private Francis Edwin Brownell, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 24 May 1861, while serving with Company A, 11th New York Infantry (Ellsworth’s Zouaves), in action at Alexandria, Virginia. Private Brownell killed the murderer of Colonel Ellsworth at the Marshall House, Alexandria, Virginia.