Medal of Honor Certificate, 1927-11-14

Item — Box: 23.3, Object: 1

Identifier: 23.3.1

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

The Michael Dougherty Collection includes documents, personal letters, and artifacts related to the life and military service of Private Michael Dougherty of Company B, 13th Pennsylvania Cavalry. Dougherty was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery during the Civil War, specifically for his actions at the Battle of Jefferson, Virginia, in 1863. The collection documents his experiences as a prisoner of war in Andersonville and other Confederate prisons, highlighting the challenges faced during his 23 months of captivity.

Among the items in the collection are two Medal of Honor certificates, the first from 1897 and a reissue from 1927, as well as Dougherty’s medals, letters, diaries, and official documents, including his naturalization and pension certificates. The collection also includes a letter documenting his participation in the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg.

Dates

1927-11-14

Conditions Governing Access

Contact Margaret R. Grundy Memorial Library (archive@grundylibrary.org) for information about accessing this collection.

Biographical / Historical

This certificate awards Michael Dougherty the Congressional Medal of Honor for his bravery during the Civil War. The action occurred on October 12, 1863, at Jefferson, VA, where Dougherty led a detachment that defended an unoccupied house against repeated enemy attacks. Originally awarded the Medal of Honor in 1897, Dougherty received a second medal and certificate in 1927. The ribbon from the 1897 Medal of Honor can be seen attached to the 1927 medallion. His superior, Colonel M. Kerwin, supported the petition for recognition, underscoring Dougherty's gallantry during the conflict.