William McKinley's Medal of Honor and Courage at Resaca

Dec 22 , 2025

William McKinley's Medal of Honor and Courage at Resaca

William McKinley stood at the edge of the swampy battlefield, the roar of musket fire ringing in his ears. Smoke choked the air, limbs tangled in mud and wire. Around him, comrades fell—some screaming, some silent. But McKinley did not flinch. His rifle clenched tight, eyes blazing with a quiet fury. This moment carved him into legend.

The Roots of a Warrior

Born in Ohio, William McKinley was no stranger to hardship. Raised in a modest household, his father drilled into him the unyielding values of duty and faith. It was the scripture he clung to in the darkest moments:

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9

McKinley’s faith anchored him through the chaos. This wasn’t just a war for territory or government—it was a fight for principle, for country, for the soul of the nation. The boy from Ohio grew into a man who carried that burden with solemn pride.

The Battle That Defined Him

It was near Resaca, Georgia, in May 1864, during the brutal Atlanta Campaign, when McKinley’s actions seared his name into history.

As a member of Company D, 47th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, he faced down a hellstorm of artillery and Confederate sharpshooters. The Union lines faltered under enemy fire, chaos ripping through the ranks. But McKinley did more than stand his ground—he advanced.

Amidst that firestorm, he seized a fallen enemy’s flag, a prize worth more than cloth. The colors symbolized enemy morale and command. By capturing it, McKinley shattered Confederate spirit and sparked his comrades’ resolve. Each step forward was soaked in blood, pain gnawing at his limbs, but he pressed on without hesitation.

His citation reads:

“For gallantry in action and extraordinary heroism in capturing the enemy’s flag during the Battle of Resaca, Ga., May 14, 1864.”

No sweeter victory stains a soldier’s hands.

Recognition Etched in Valor

The Medal of Honor followed, President Andrew Johnson awarding it in 1899—decades after the guns fell silent. The nation had watched men like McKinley suffer, bleed, and survive, but few stood as tall in the annals of honor.

Colonel John F. DeCourcey, commander of the 47th Ohio, praised McKinley’s relentless courage:

“His fearless charge stole the heart of the enemy and rallied our men under withering fire.”

But medals don’t capture the scars beneath the skin or the sleepless nights haunted by fallen friends. McKinley never flaunted his honor. He carried it quietly, like a shrapnel in his soul.

The Legacy Forged in Fire

William McKinley’s story isn’t just a tale of a flag captured or a medal pinned. It is a testament to the relentless grit of ordinary men who stood in unnatural hells and refused to back down. His faith, his iron will, his sacrifice—those are the real trophies.

He reminds us courage demands cost, and redemption wears the shape of scars.

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” — Romans 8:18

His fight was more than a single battle. It was an eternal struggle—between fear and faith, chaos and order, death and life. For veterans and civilians alike, McKinley’s legacy presses one truth: courage is born in sacrifice, and honor is the light we carry through the dark.

Sources

1. U.S. Army Center of Military History, "Medal of Honor Recipients: Civil War (M-Z)" 2. Ohio Historical Society, "47th Ohio Infantry Regiment: Campaigns and Valor" 3. Medal of Honor: The Civil War and Andrew Johnson’s Awards, Smithsonian Institution Press