President Joe Biden posthumously presented the Medal of Honor to two soldiers, Pvts. Philip G. Shadrach and George D. Wilson, for their actions hijacking the Confederate railroad on April 12, 1862. These soldiers were part of the 2nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry and agreed to join Andrews’ Raiders, a mission led by a civilian named James Andrews. The mission, known as The Great Locomotive Chase, involved traveling undercover through enemy territory into Georgia, stealing a locomotive, and disrupting communication and vital supply lines to help bring the war to a swift end.
During the Hall of Heroes ceremony, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III described Shadrach and Wilson as well-liked and eager to volunteer to help their nation. Their bravery and selflessness were highlighted by their comrades, who remembered Shadrach as being solidly built and reckless, yet willing to sacrifice anything for a friend, and Wilson as having a greatness of soul that sympathized intensely with the struggle for national life. Their actions during The Great Locomotive Chase demonstrated their dedication to their mission and their country.
Despite facing challenges such as unexpected trains on the track and harsh weather conditions, the Raiders, including Shadrach and Wilson, continued their mission to disrupt Confederate communications by destroying rail and telegraph lines. The engine they hijacked eventually ran out of steam just north of Ringgold, Georgia, where they were disbanded and given orders to evade capture. Unfortunately, Confederate forces captured every man from the mission, leading to the execution of eight men, including Shadrach and Wilson, as prisoners of war.
Pvt. Shadrach and Pvt. Wilson were sentenced to hang by a Confederate military court, but their courage in the face of death and their trust in their faith and America inspired all who witnessed their final moments. Despite their heroic deeds going unacknowledged for over a century, their bravery was finally recognized by President Biden, who posthumously awarded them the Medal of Honor. Their names will forever be inscribed in the Hall of Heroes alongside their fellow Raiders, linking their sacrifices to the American patriots who risked everything for freedom, union, and the future of liberty under law. Their descendants were present at the White House and Pentagon ceremonies to honor their legacy and inspire others to live up to their example of selflessness and courage.
