William R. D. Blackwood

Surgeon William Robert Douglas Blackwood (May 12, 1838 – April 26, 1922) was an Irish soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Blackwood received the United States' highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action during the Third Battle of Petersburg in Virginia on April 2, 1865.[1] He was honored with the award on July 21, 1897.[2]

William R. D. Blackwood
Born(1838-05-12)May 12, 1838
Hollywood, Ireland
DiedApril 22, 1922(1922-04-22) (aged 83)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Buried
Chelten Hills Cemetery, Philadelphia
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service1862–1865
RankBrevet Lieutenant Colonel
UnitPennsylvania 48th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry
Battles/warsThird Battle of Petersburg
Awards Medal of Honor

Biography

Blackwood was born in Hollywood, Ireland on May 12, 1838. He immigrated to the United States and studied medicine at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School in June 1859, completed his course work in 1861, wrote his thesis on gastro-intestinal digestion, and graduated in 1862.[3][4] In September 1862 he enlisted into the 149th Pennsylvania Infantry as an assistant surgeon but was later transferred to the 48th Pennsylvania Infantry on April 28, 1863, where he was promoted to chief surgeon of the regiment.[5]

During the Third Battle of Petersburg when Fort Mahone was being attacked, Blackwood assisted several seriously wounded soldiers from the battlefield. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroics. He died in Philadelphia on April 26, 1922,[6] and his remains are interred at the Chelten Hills Cemetery, Philadelphia.[5]

Medal of Honor citation

Removed severely wounded officers and soldiers from the field while under a heavy fire from the enemy, exposing himself beyond the call of duty, thus furnishing an example of most distinguished gallantry.[1][2][5]

Family

William Robert Douglas Blackwood was born in Hollywood, Ireland on May 12, 1838, to Robert Blackwood and Victoria Douglas.[7]

Dr. Blackwood married Ida Chote Gerhart in 1874, and had four children.[7]

See also

References
  1. "Blackwood, William R. D." Retrieved September 15, 2013.
  2. "Civil War (A-L) Medal of Honor Recipients". Retrieved September 14, 2013.
  3. "The 48th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry: Soldiers of the 48th: Surgeon William R.D. Blackwood, Medal of Honor Recipient". February 23, 2012.
  4. "11/11/14, BENCHMARKS: A Brief History of US Military Veterans at the University of Pennsylvania - Almanac, Vol. 61, No. 13".
  5. Hoptak, John David (February 23, 2012). "PROFILES: Surgeon William R.D. Blackwood, Medal of Honor Recipient". Retrieved September 15, 2013.
  6. "Gen. Blackwood Dies". Altoona Tribune. Philadelphia. April 28, 1922. p. 16. Retrieved January 3, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. "William Robert Douglas Blackwood (1838-1922)". PENN BIOGRAPHIES. University of Pennsylvania University Archives and Records Center. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
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