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Musician John Kountz was one of twenty men cited for personal valor in the fighting in and around Chattanooga, Tennessee, November 24 & 25, 1863. On November 25 in action at Missionary Ridge where fifteen men earned Medals of Honor, while on the attack, Musician Kountz put down his drum and took up a rifle to join the charge. (Later, the War Department found him guilty of disobedience for this act.) Musician Kountz joined his brigade in two charges on the entrenched position held by the rebel forces during which they were driven back twice. Throughout both charges he was conspicuous for his courage in cheering his comrades on and being in the forefront of the charge. In the second failed charge Musician Kountz was shot through the leg close to the enemy's lines, and left on the battlefield. When the unit had fallen back and regrouped, Private William Schmidt volunteered to go back on the battlefield to recover the wounded drummer turned skirmisher, earning the Medal of Honor himself for saving Kountz life. When recovered, Musician Kountz lay wounded nearer the enemy's works than any other man. His serious wound required amputation of his leg. |
| This was one of those rare actions in history during which a Medal of Honor was awarded for saving the life of a comrade, who also was or became a Medal of Honor recipient himself. |
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