Waukegan in Lake County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Orion Perseus Howe
A resident of Glen Rock Avenue in Waukegan and a musician in Company C, 55th Illinois Infantry
He is the youngest soldier ever to be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his bravery on the battlefield at Vicksburg, Mississippi on May 19, 1863.
"A drummer boy, 14 years of age, wounded and exposed to heavy fire from the enemy, he persistently remained upon the field of battle until he had reported to General W.T. Sherman the necessity of supplying cartridges for the use of troops under command of Colonel Malmborg."
Erected 2006 by Waukegan Park District.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 19, 1863.
Location. 42° 21.566′ N, 87° 50.141′ W. Marker is in Waukegan, Illinois, in Lake County. Memorial is at the intersection of Washington Street and South West Street, on the right when traveling east on Washington Street. Located in the Veterans Memorial Plaza in Washington Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Waukegan IL 60085, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Waukegan Veterans Memorial (here, next to this marker); Cpl. Richard E. Bush Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Waukegan Doughboy Statue (a few steps from this marker); U.S.S. Maine Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Ray Bradbury Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ray Bradbury Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Washburn and Moen Manufacturing Company (approx. 1.3 miles away); Joseph T. Bowen Country Club (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Waukegan.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 8, 2018. It was originally submitted on April 7, 2018, by Michael Ryzy of Palatine, Illinois. This page has been viewed 372 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 7, 2018, by Michael Ryzy of Palatine, Illinois. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.