Most TAH readers have heard about Joshua Chamberlain, Commander of the 20th Maine and one of the many heroes at Gettysburg. Most probably also know he was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism that day.<\/p>\n
However, there’s a bit more to that story. And that little bit of extra was recently re-discovered.<\/p>\n
Chamberlain’s first Medal of Honor was awarded to him late in life, in 1893. In 1904, Medal of Honor was redesigned. Previous recipients were issued a new medal, but were allowed to retain the previous one if they desired (they were not allowed to wear both simultaneously). Chamberlain was still living and was issued a new Medal of Honor.<\/p>\n
Chamberlain’s new-issue Medal of Honor is on display at Bowdoin College (Chamberlain served as President of Bowdoin for years prior to his retirement from politics). However, for many years the whereabouts of his original were not known.<\/p>\n
Chamberlain’s original Medal of Honor has been located<\/a>. It was found in a book purchased at a church sale following the death of his granddaughter. His granddaughter donated her estate to her church on her death in 2000. The medal was in one of the books later sold at a church fundraising sale.<\/p>\n The medal was returned to the Pejepscot Historical Society<\/a> in Brunswick, Maine by the purchaser of the books. It has been authenticated as genuine. <\/p>\n Plans for public display have not yet been announced.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"