John B Babcock

John was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on the 7th of February 1843. His family has a long history in both the military and in the Rhode Island and Connecticut area, which led him to join the 37th New York Volunteer Infantry in 1862. John was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in November of that year and he served in the American Civil War, to include battles in Louisiana. By the time he resigned his commission on the 23rd of July 1865, John had reached the rank of Major of Volunteers with the 62nd New York Volunteer Infantry and was later appointed to the Regular Army as a Second Lieutenant in 1867. It was his actions as a First Lieutenant with the 5th US Cavalry at Spring Creek, Nebraska, that would earn him the Medal of Honor. The citation reads:

While serving with a scouting column, this officer's troop was attacked by a vastly superior force of Indians. Advancing to high ground, he dismounted his men, remaining mounted himself to encourage them, and there fought the Indians until relieved, his horse being wounded.

When John received the Medal of Honor on the 18th of September 1897, he had reached the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. When the Spanish-American War began the following year, he was promoted to Brigadier General of Volunteers, a rank he held until November of that same year (reverting back to Lieutenant Colonel). John retired from the Army on the 8th of August 1903, one day after receiving a permanent promotion to Brigadier General of the Regular Army.

John was married to Blandina and the couple had three sons, of which two would serve in the Army and one in the Navy. On the 26th of April 1909, John Breckinridge Babcock died from Bright’s Disease while sailing from Germany to New York. He is buried with his wife and one of his sons in the Evergreen Cemetery in Stonington, Connecticut: Pomeroy Avenue, Grave 924.