As promised yesterday, there are five known graves of Canadian Medal of Honor recipients in the state of California. There may be a sixth and a 7th deserves honourable mention. If at all possible on your next planned trip to California, why not check out these locations and, if at all possible, making a point of taking a side trip to see one or more of these graves and pay your respects for the services these heroes performed!
In order of the deeds performed resulting in the medal, here are the 7.
The first is short and sweet. It is a fellow from the 27th Maine that you have read much about over the past few blogs. It is believed he moved off to California after the Civil War and remained there for the rest of his life. This is still being researched. He received his medal for volunteering to stay after his term of serice was up in late June of 1863.
In order of the deeds performed resulting in the medal, here are the 7.
The first is short and sweet. It is a fellow from the 27th Maine that you have read much about over the past few blogs. It is believed he moved off to California after the Civil War and remained there for the rest of his life. This is still being researched. He received his medal for volunteering to stay after his term of serice was up in late June of 1863.
Ontario born Benjamin Franklin Youngs is buried at the Odd Fellows Cemetery at Los Angeles. He earned his Medal of Honor at Petersburg Virgina 17 June 1864 by capturing an enemy flag. His and others noted today will be covered in more detail in future blogs.
This is an old marker at the grave. It still stands, but beside it there is now an upright Medal of Honor marker. This was unveiled in a ceremony by Debbie Peevyhouse, of California and myself. Debbie has spent many years searching for MOH graves in the state, ensuring that they are readable and taken steps to have new markers installed were possible to identify hero status if not already there. Debbie has been responsible for several discoveries in her work and she and I have exchanged research materials over the years. She like I, have been self financed in this work for years.
This is an old marker at the grave. It still stands, but beside it there is now an upright Medal of Honor marker. This was unveiled in a ceremony by Debbie Peevyhouse, of California and myself. Debbie has spent many years searching for MOH graves in the state, ensuring that they are readable and taken steps to have new markers installed were possible to identify hero status if not already there. Debbie has been responsible for several discoveries in her work and she and I have exchanged research materials over the years. She like I, have been self financed in this work for years.
Quebec born Ovila Cayer is buried at the Garden of Memories Memorial Park at Salina California.
Cayer served in the Civil War and for a few years after. He fought in many battles including the famous Fredericksburg, Gettysburg and Wilderness campaigns were other Canadians earned the Medal of Honor. Cayer's medal was for leading his company in a charge at Petersburg.
Because of some of his activities, some feel he may have actually earned two medals. This is still being investigated.
Cayer served in the Civil War and for a few years after. He fought in many battles including the famous Fredericksburg, Gettysburg and Wilderness campaigns were other Canadians earned the Medal of Honor. Cayer's medal was for leading his company in a charge at Petersburg.
Because of some of his activities, some feel he may have actually earned two medals. This is still being investigated.
John Neil was born in Newfoundland. It is believed by some, and disputed by others that this is his grave and final resting place at the Mare Island Cemetery at Vallejo California.
John was in the navy and as a quarter gunner at Fort Fisher and was one of the brave soles who volunteered to sail a boat full of gunbpowder up into the harbour with the idea of sinking it in such a position that it would trap many enemy ships inside the harbour. several things went wrong but several sailors later were awarded the medal of Honor for their bravery, Neil being one of these.
He would stay in the service till in the early 1890's when he died.
John was in the navy and as a quarter gunner at Fort Fisher and was one of the brave soles who volunteered to sail a boat full of gunbpowder up into the harbour with the idea of sinking it in such a position that it would trap many enemy ships inside the harbour. several things went wrong but several sailors later were awarded the medal of Honor for their bravery, Neil being one of these.
He would stay in the service till in the early 1890's when he died.
John Chapman is buried at the Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery at Coma California. John earned his Medal of Honor on 6 April 1865 in the battle at Sailor's Creek by capturing an enemy's flag.
John was thought for years to have been born at Saint John New Brunswick but a few years back Debbie and others determined this was not so. In fact his name was not even correct. The real one is Charles Felix Kauffmann and he was born at Stratsbourg France.
This a picture of Debbie, that I took when we visted his grave a few years back. It was Debbie's work that saw the new portion added with the proper name and MOH status.
John was thought for years to have been born at Saint John New Brunswick but a few years back Debbie and others determined this was not so. In fact his name was not even correct. The real one is Charles Felix Kauffmann and he was born at Stratsbourg France.
This a picture of Debbie, that I took when we visted his grave a few years back. It was Debbie's work that saw the new portion added with the proper name and MOH status.
Austin Denham was British Born, but moved to Canada and by the age of 12 had moved off to the US. He is buried at the Cavalry Cemetery at Los Angeles California. This is on the same street at the cemetery were Youngs rests, and the two of them grew up within a handful of miles in Ontario.
They probably knew each other.
Austin earned his medal at Greytown Nicarauga in 1872. His Commanding Officer and several others were in a small boat that capsized. He and others went to their rescue but most died. Others were saved and further loss of life was prevented because of their bravery, and thus the award of the Medal of Honor a few months later.
They probably knew each other.
Austin earned his medal at Greytown Nicarauga in 1872. His Commanding Officer and several others were in a small boat that capsized. He and others went to their rescue but most died. Others were saved and further loss of life was prevented because of their bravery, and thus the award of the Medal of Honor a few months later.
Colonel Lewis Millett is buried at Riverside National Cemetery at Riverside California.
He earned his Medal of Honor In Korea, had served in Vietnam and also in WW11.
Millett served briefly in the Canadian Army then after the US joined the WW11 efforts he went back to them to serve, as he had done previous to his Canadian service.
Much has been written about the Colonel on this site in varius blogs and more will come in the future.
It is hoped that with the display of these markers, that at some time in the future, if you visit the State of California, you will try and visit one or more of these heroes to pay your respects for all they did to preserve our freedoms on both sides of the 49th parrallel.
Bart
He earned his Medal of Honor In Korea, had served in Vietnam and also in WW11.
Millett served briefly in the Canadian Army then after the US joined the WW11 efforts he went back to them to serve, as he had done previous to his Canadian service.
Much has been written about the Colonel on this site in varius blogs and more will come in the future.
It is hoped that with the display of these markers, that at some time in the future, if you visit the State of California, you will try and visit one or more of these heroes to pay your respects for all they did to preserve our freedoms on both sides of the 49th parrallel.
Bart
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