Huntington in Huntington County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

John R. Kissinger

1877 - 1946

— Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient "Quiet Hero - Few Know His Name" —

John R. Kissinger Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Willard McKinzie, May 30, 2023

1. John R. Kissinger Marker

Inscription. John R. Kissinger, who lived in Huntington in his latter years, became the first volunteer to subject himself to the bite of an infected mosquito (1900) in an experiment to identify the cause of "Yellow Jack" (Yellow Fever). This successful experiment by the Dr. Walter Reed Science Committee was necessary to make possible the construction of the Panama Canal.

Erected by American Revolution Bicentennial 1776-1976.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Heroes • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients, and the The Spirit of ’76, America’s Bicentennial Celebration series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1900.

Location. 40° 52.717′ N, 85° 30.383′ W. Marker is in Huntington, Indiana, in Huntington County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of 1200 West Park Drive. This marker is located just off the northwest corner of the Sunken Gardens. Or just northeast of the footpath leading from the Veterans Memorial at Memorial Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Huntington IN 46750, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. WWII Sherman Tank (here, next to this marker); In Memory of All Vietnam Veterans (a few steps from this marker); Taps

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(a few steps from this marker); Huntington Civil War Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Elizebeth Smith Friedman (within shouting distance of this marker); Huntington Korean War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Order of the Purple Heart (within shouting distance of this marker); Huntington Vietnam War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Huntington.

More about this marker. This marker was previously located on the front lawn of Huntington Memorial Hospital when it was located on Etna Avenue. It was relocated when the hospital moved to its current location on Stultz Road in April of 2000.

This marker has been moved again to its new location in Memorial Park.

Regarding John R. Kissinger. The marker erroneously refers to the Congressional Medal of Honor. John Kissinger was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal along with Walter Reed and the others who participated in the experiments. The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest honor bestowed by Congress. It is on par with the Presidential

Photographed By Willard McKinzie, May 30, 2023

2. John R. Kissinger Marker

Medal of Freedom, but less frequently presented.

Also see . . .
1. John Kissinger Volunteers to Get Yellow Fever. History? Because It's Here! entry (Submitted on January 8, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. John R. Kissinger. Find A Grave entry; mentions that Kissinger was paralyzed from the waist down and lived his life in pain. (Submitted on January 8, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

John R. Kissinger Marker in its former location image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Willard McKinzie, July 29, 2011

3. John R. Kissinger Marker in its former location

John R. Kissinger image. Click for full size.

via Find A Grave, unknown

4. John R. Kissinger

Credits. This page was last revised on February 5, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 29, 2011, by Willard McKinzie of Huntington, Indiana. This page has been viewed 1,278 times since then and 38 times this year. Last updated on January 18, 2024, by Willard McKinzie of Huntington, Indiana. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 13, 2024, by Willard McKinzie of Huntington, Indiana. 3. submitted on July 29, 2011, by Willard McKinzie of Huntington, Indiana. 4. submitted on January 8, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.