William J. Archinal

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William J. Archinal
June 3, 1840(1840-06-03) – May 10, 1919 (aged 78)
William J. Archinal, Medal of Honor recipient
Place of birth	Germany
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	Confederate Army
Rank	Corporal
Unit	Company I, 30th Ohio Volunteer Infantry
Battles/wars	American Civil War *Battle of Vicksburg
Awards	Medal of Honor

William J. Archinal (June 3, 1840–May 10, 1919) was an American Civil War Union Army soldier who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Vicksburg.

1 Biography
2 Medal of Honor citation
3 See also
4 References

[edit] Biography

Archinal enlisted in the 30th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, becoming a Corporal in Company I. On May 22, 1863, during the campaign to capture Vicksburg, Mississippi, he participated in an assault on Confederate positions that was considered a "forlorn hope", meaning the soldiers taking part in it would have little chance of surviving. Corporal Archinal was indeed one of a relatively small number of men to escape alive. Fifty-three of the survivors were eventually awarded the Medal of Honor for their participation, including Archinal and eight other members of the 30th Ohio.

Archinal's Medal was issued on July 10, 1894, and the citation is below. William Archinal died at age 78 and was buried in Riverview Cemetery, Trenton, New Jersey. His grave can be found in section W, Lot 126. In November 2005 a government issue Medal of Honor marker was installed at his gravesite.

[edit] Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Corporal, Company I, 30th Ohio Infantry. Place and date: At Vicksburg, Miss., 22 May 1863. Entered service at: ------. Birth: Germany. Date of issue: 10 July 1894.

Citation:

Gallantry in the charge of the "volunteer storming party."