Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Francis
Jay
Herron
POW (Civil War)
February 17, 1837

–

January 8, 1902

Cemetery:

Calvary Cemetery

Exchanged for a Confederate officer, Herron returned to serve in the Union Army for the duration of the war. During this service he was promoted to Major General, becoming the YOUNGEST Major General of either side in the Civil War. After the war he settled in New Orleans where he practiced law and served as US Marshall for the District of Louisiana. He also served for a time as Secretary of State in Louisiana, before moving to New York to continue his law practice.

Awards Received

  • Medal of Honor

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel

    Division:

    9th Iowa Infantry

    Action Date:

    March 7, 1862
    Date of Issue: September 26, 1893

    The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Lieutenant Colonel Francis Jay Herron, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 7 March 1862, while serving with 9th Iowa Infantry, in action at Pea Ridge, Arkansas. Lieutenant Colonel Herron was foremost in leading his men, rallying them to repeated acts of daring, until himself disabled and taken prisoner.