The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to First Sergeant Edward Ratcliff, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 29 September 1864, while serving with Company C, 38th U.S. Colored Troops, in action at Chapin’s Farm, Virginia. First Sergeant Ratcliff commanded and gallantly led his company after the commanding officer had been killed; was the first enlisted man to enter the enemy’s works.