Navy Federal Credit Union

After more than a year in Confederate Prisons, Private Porter was released and received his Medal of Honor. In the 1950s Disney Studios released the movie “The Great Locomotive Chase” to herald the exploits of Andrews Raiders.

Awards Received

  • Medal of Honor

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private

    Division:

    21st Ohio Infantry

    Action Date:

    April, 1862

    Date of Issue: September 1863

    The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private John Reed Porter, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on April, 1862, while serving with Company G, 21st Ohio Infantry, in action during the Andrew’s Raid in Georgia. Private Porter was one of the 19 of 22 men (including two civilians) who, by direction of General Mitchell (or Buell), penetrated nearly 200 miles south into enemy territory and captured a railroad train at Big Shanty, Georgia, in an attempt to destroy the bridges and track between Chattanooga and Atlanta.