Conrad Noll

Conrad Noll (February 20, 1836 – May 26, 1925) was an American soldier who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House in 1864 during the American Civil War.

Biography Noll was born in the Electorate of Hesse (now part of Germany) in 1836 and immigrated to the United States in 1856, settling in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he worked as a shoemaker. He enlisted in D Company of the 20th Michigan Infantry Regiment on August 11, 1862, and after fighting in the Battle of Fredericksburg, was promoted to corporal on December 25, 1862. He later saw action at the Battle of Jackson, the Siege of Vicksburg, the Battle of Blue Springs, the Siege of Knoxville, and the Battle of the Wilderness.

At the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House on May 12, 1864, Noll picked up the fallen regimental colors after their previous bearer had been killed, and fought his way to safety with them despite the enemy threatening the 20th's left flank and rear. He saw further fighting at the Battle of North Anna, the Battle of Cold Harbor, and the Siege of Petersburg, where a gunshot wound in his left thigh left him with a permanent impairment. He was promoted to sergeant on January 1, 1865, and was discharged on July 14, 1865 at Harper Hospital in Detroit.

Medal of Honor

In the late 1880s, the Department of War began examining unrewarded cases of heroism from the Civil War that might merit the Medal of Honor. For his actions at Spotsylvania Court House, Noll was awarded the Medal of Honor on July 28, 1896.