Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Elihu
H.
Mason
POW (Civil War)
March 23, 1831

–

September 24, 1896

Cemetery:

Pemberville Cemetery

After his successful escape, Sergeant Mason arrived in Washington, DC where he and his fellow raiders were presented the first Medals of Honor in history. Mason was the fourth in the group to receive his highest honor. He was the first NCO in history to be awarded the MOH. In the 1950s, Disney Studios released “The Great Locomotive Chase”, a movie starring Fess Parker to herald the accomplishments of the Andrews Raid.

Awards Received

  • Medal of Honor

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Division:

    21st Ohio Infantry

    Action Date:

    April, 1862
    Date of Issue: March 25, 1863

    The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Sergeant Elihu H. Mason, 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. Sergeant Mason 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.