American Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient. Also known as Aaron Sanderson, he was issued the award on June 22, 1865, for his actions as a landsman assigned to the Navy steamer USS Wyandak on March 17, 1865, at Mattox Creek, Virginia. Born in Arkansas, he moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he worked as a cook before joining the US Nave at the age of 52, in the final days of the American Civil War, On March 17, 1865, he participated in a mission to attack a group of Confederate troops attempting to get supplies. In the process they came under heavy fire which destroyed many of their weapons and severely damaged their boats. He continued firing a howitzer until they had gotten to safety. Following the war, he returned to Philadelphia and died there at the age of around 74. Originally interred at the Lebanon Cemetery in Philadelphia, his body was later moved to Eden Cemetery in Collingdale, Pennsylvania. His Medal of Honor citation reads: "Served on board the U.S.S. Wyandank during a boat expedition up Mattox Creek, 17 March 1865. Participating with a boat crew in the clearing of Mattox Creek, Landsman Sanderson carried out his duties courageously in the face of a devastating fire which cut away half the oars, pierced the launch in many places, and cut the barrel off a musket being fired at the enemy." He was one of the first African-Americans to receive the Medal of Honor.
American Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient. Also known as Aaron Sanderson, he was issued the award on June 22, 1865, for his actions as a landsman assigned to the Navy steamer USS Wyandak on March 17, 1865, at Mattox Creek, Virginia. Born in Arkansas, he moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he worked as a cook before joining the US Nave at the age of 52, in the final days of the American Civil War, On March 17, 1865, he participated in a mission to attack a group of Confederate troops attempting to get supplies. In the process they came under heavy fire which destroyed many of their weapons and severely damaged their boats. He continued firing a howitzer until they had gotten to safety. Following the war, he returned to Philadelphia and died there at the age of around 74. Originally interred at the Lebanon Cemetery in Philadelphia, his body was later moved to Eden Cemetery in Collingdale, Pennsylvania. His Medal of Honor citation reads: "Served on board the U.S.S. Wyandank during a boat expedition up Mattox Creek, 17 March 1865. Participating with a boat crew in the clearing of Mattox Creek, Landsman Sanderson carried out his duties courageously in the face of a devastating fire which cut away half the oars, pierced the launch in many places, and cut the barrel off a musket being fired at the enemy." He was one of the first African-Americans to receive the Medal of Honor.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
Gravesite Details
Originally buried at Lebanon Cemetery
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