George G. Benedict

George Grenville Benedict (December 10, 1826 – April 8, 1907) was an American politician, newspaper editor and soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Benedict was awarded the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action during the Battle of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania on July 3, 1863. He was honored with the award on June 27, 1892.

Biography Benedict was born on 10 December 1826 in Burlington, Vermont. He entered the University of Vermont and graduated with honors in 1847, receiving the degree of Master of Arts in 1850. While a student, he became a member of the Sigma Phi Society as well as the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. He was married on October 27, 1853 to Mary Anne, the daughter of Edward and Abigail Frances Kellogg of New Canaan, NY. He served as the president of the Vermont & Boston Telegraph Company from 1859 to 1863; was elected by the people of Chittenden county as a member of the Vermont Senate 1869-71; and served as the secretary of the Corporation of the University of Vermont and State Agricultural College from 1865 to 1879. He was selected as a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1880.

He served two terms as Burlington postmaster (1861-1864 and 1871-1874).

Military career Benedict enlisted in the 12th Vermont Infantry at Burlington in August 1862. On the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg, he was among a group of men involved in the successful flank attack on Pickett's Charge, for which he gained the Medal of Honor.

In 1863, he was promoted to a lieutenant, and later appointed aid-de-camp on the staff of Gen. George J. Standard, commanding the 2nd Brigade of Vermont Volunteers. By 1865, he held the office of assistant inspector general with the rank of major.

Death Colonel Benedict died on April 8, 1907, aged 80, in Burlington, Vermont. He is buried in the Greenmount Cemetery in that city.

Medal of Honor citation Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, Company C, 12th Vermont Infantry. Place and date: At Gettysburg, Pa., 3 July 1863.