The Early Years

John Creed, son of James Creed and Catherine Cramer, was an Irish-born Union Army soldier during the American Civil War. He was born in Tipperary, County Tipperary, Ireland. He received the Medal of Honor for gallantry during the Battle of Fisher's Hill near Strasburg, Virginia, fought September 21–24, 1864. The battle was one of the engagements of the Valley Campaigns of 1864.

In 1850, John, age thirty, resided with his father James, the head of household and a Farmer and his mother Catherine who maintained the household, in Shields, Lake, Illinois, United States.

John married Catherine Cramer on 16 Feb 1858 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, United States. They had at least three known children: Anna, Maria and Margaret (Maggie).

By 1860, John, age forty, was the head of household, a Fruit Dealer and married, resided with his wife of two years, Catherine in Chicago City 5th Ward, Cook, Illinois, United States. Catherine maintained the household and raised Maria and Anna.

The Civil War

John Creed, a resident of Chicago, Illinois, enlisted in the Union Army for three years on 4 Aug 1862 as a Private. On 4 Aug 1862, he was assigned to Company C, 23rd Regiment, Illinois Infantry.

Private Creed had an intra-reimental transfer from Company C to B on 29 Aug 1864. On 3 Jun 1865, Private Creed received a disability discharge. Medal of Honor Recipient John Creed died on 28 Nov 1872 and was buried in Calvary Cemetery, Evanston, Illinois, United States.

Civil War Engagements with the 23rd Illinois Infantry Regiment. aka "The First Irish." Organized: Chicago, IL on 15 Jun 1861; Mustered out: 24 Jul 1865.

Lexington

Hedgesville and Back Creek

Kanawha

Scout to Moorefield

Raid on Railroad

Valley, May-Oct 1864, Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, United States, Union Victory

Kernstown, (aka Battle of Pittsburg Landing), 24 Jul 1864, Frederick County, Virginia, United States, Confederate victory

Winchester, (aka Battle of Opequon or Battle of Opequon Creek), 19 Sep 1864, Frederick County, near Winchester, Virginia, United States, Union victory

Fisher's Hill, 21-22 Sep 1864, near Strasburg, Shenandoah County, Virginia, United States, Union victory

Petersburg, (aka Richmond–Petersburg campaign), a series of battles around Petersburg, Virginia, 9 Jun 1864-25 Mar 1865, Petersburg, Virginia, United States, Union victory

Petersburg, (aka Breakthrough at Petersburg or the Fall of Petersburg, assault on Ft Gregg), a series of battles around Petersburg, Virginia, 2 Apr 1865, Dinwiddie County, near Petersburg, Virginia, United States, Decisive Union victory; End of the Siege of Petersburg and opening of the Appomattox Campaign; Fall of Richmond on 3 Apr 1865

Appomattox, (aka Breakthrough at Petersburg or the Fall of Petersburg, assault on Ft Gregg), a series of American Civil War battles fought 29 Mar–9 Apr 1865, in Virginia that concluded with the surrender of Confederate General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia to forces of the Union Army (Army of the Potomac, Army of the James and Army of the Shenandoah) under the overall command of Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant, marking the effective end of the war, 29 Mar–9 Apr 1865, Along the evacuation routes from Richmond, Virginia, and Petersburg, Virginia, following the routes of the Richmond and Danville Railroad and the Southside Railroad west to Appomattox Court House; Decisive Union victory: Surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia on 9 Apr 1865

Appomattox, one of the last, and ultimately one of the most consequential, battles of the American Civil War, 9 Apr 1865, Appomattox Court House, Appomattox County, Virginia, Union victory; surrender of the entire 28,000 strong Army of Northern Virginia

Appomattox, one of the last, and ultimately one of the most consequential, battles of the American Civil War, 9 Apr 1865, Appomattox Court House, Appomattox County, Virginia, Union victory; surrender of the entire 28,000 strong Army of Northern Virginia

Private John Creed fought in the American Civil War and received the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action during the assault at Fisher's Hill, Virginia, United States for capture of flag, on 22 Sep 1864 while serving with Company D (could be B), 23rd Regiment, Illinois Infantry.

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private John Creed, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 22 September 1864, while serving with Company D, 23d Illinois Infantry, in action at Fisher’s Hill, Virginia, for capture of flag.

In accordance to military tradition, service members salute Medal of Honor recipients, regardless of rank. This is a matter of respect for the recipients' sacrifices and is not required by law. Department of Defense Saluting MOH Recipients. In addition, MOH Recipients receive special benefits: 1. A Monthly Pension and Special Retirement Pay; 2. Uniform Allowances; 3. On-Base Parking Spots; 4. Priority Space-A Travel; 5. Invitations to Presidential Inaugurals; 6. Academy Appointments for Dependents; 7. A Medal of Honor Flag; 8. Full Military Burial Honors Military Times, Special Benefits for MOH Recipients.

Later Years

John, age sixty (closer to fifty), was the head of household and a Carpenter, resided with his wife of twelve years, Catherine in Chicago Ward 10, Cook, Illinois, United States. Catherine maintained the household and raised Anna and Maggie. In addition, three boarders were residents of the household

Death & Burial

Medal of Honor Recipient, Corporal John Creed died on Thursday, 28 Nov 1872 at the age of 52-53 and is commemorated and interred in Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Evanston, Cook County, Illinois, United States.

Notes: On Civil War Data it shows Company C and Company B as companies Private Creed was assigned to. On Wikipedia it shows Company D.  On Wikipedia under medal of honor citation it shows Private but it also lists his rank as Corporal.