William L. Graul Explained

William L. Graul
Birth Date:27 July 1846
Birth Place:Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Death Place:Pennsylvania, U.S.
Placeofburial:Charles Evans Cemetery
Allegiance:Union Army
Branch:Infantry
Rank:Corporal
Unit:Company I, 188th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment
Battles:American Civil War
Battle of Chaffin's Farm
Awards:Medal of Honor

William L. Graul (July 27, 1846 – September 2, 1909) was a Union Army soldier in the American Civil War who received the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.

Formative years

Graul was born on July 27, 1846, in Reading, Pennsylvania, where he was educated in the local schools.

American Civil War

Graul enrolled for military service during the American Civil War in Reading, Pennsylvania. At the age of eighteen, he was awarded the Medal of Honor, for extraordinary heroism shown at Fort Harrison during the Battle of Chaffin's Farm.

His act of valor was committed while placing the American flag on the Confederate Army fortifications, while serving as a corporal with Company I of the 188th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry.

The flag of Graul's regiment, the 188th Pennsylvania Infantry, was carried by Cecil Clay, for which Clay was also awarded a Medal of Honor.[1]

Graul's Medal of Honor was issued on April 6, 1865.

Post-war life

Following the war, Graul returned home and resumed his family life. He had five children.[1] He died along with his wife on September 2, 1909, after a train collided with their touring car in Pennsylvania. He was buried in Charles Evans Cemetery.[2] [3]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Douglas Crenshaw. Fort Harrison and the Battle of Chaffin's Farm: To Surprise and Capture Richmond. 5 November 2013. The History Press. 978-1-62584-771-3. 49–.
  2. News: Grauls Known Here . 1909-09-03 . Daily Local News . 4 . . 2024-04-30.
  3. News: The funeral of William L. Graul... . 1909-09-08 . The Reading Daily Times . 6 . . 2024-04-30.