Hugh P. Boon

Hugh P. Boon
Born (1831-07-28)July 28, 1831
Died January 14, 1908(1908-01-14) (aged 76)
Allegiance  United States of America
Service/branch  United States Army
Years of service August 1861 to 8 July 1865
Rank Captain
Unit Pennsylvania Company B, 1st West Virginia Cavalry.
Battles/wars Battle of Sayler's Creek
Awards Medal of Honor

Captain Hugh P. Boon (July 28, 1831 to January 14, 1908) was an American soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Boon received the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action during the Battle of Sayler's Creek in Virginia on 6 April 1865. He was honored with the award on 3 May 1865.[1][2]

Biography

Marker at Washington (PA) Cemetery showing Boon is buried there

Boon was born on 28 July 1831 to James and Margaret Miller Boone in Washington, Pennsylvania.[2] Prior to the outbreak of the war, Boon was involved in the grocery business. He first joined the war efforts as a volunteer in the three month service and later enlisted into the 1st West Virginia Volunteer Cavalry in August 1861,[1] where he was eventually promoted to captain.[3]

On 6 April 1865 Boon mounted his horse and entered the enemy's camp during the Battle of Sayler's Creek, capturing a flag in the process. It is for this act of gallantry that he was presented with the Medal of Honor. During the war Boon was seriously injured, a bullet piercing through his neck in close proximity to his spinal cord, an injury which troubled him throughout the rest of his life.[3]

After the war Boon returned to the grocery business for a while but soon left to go into farming, a trade in which his family was involved while growing up. In October 1866 he married Hannah J. Cook, with whom he had one child. He was later a clerk in the A. B. Caldwell Co store. He died on 14 January 1908, after a period of illness.[3]

Medal of Honor citation

Capture of flag.[1][2]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Civil War (A-L) Medal of Honor Recipients". Retrieved 14 September 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 "Moon, Hugh P.". Retrieved 25 September 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 "OBITUARIES: WAS BRAVE SOLDIER AND AN EXCELLENT CITIZEN: After Weeks of Illness, Captain Hugh P. Boone Answers the Last Summons". The Washington Pennsylvania Daily Reporter. January 15, 1908.
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