George H. Maynard

George H. Maynard (February 2, 1836 - December 26, 1927) was a Union Army soldier in the American Civil War who received the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.

Early life Maynard was born in Waltham, Massachusetts, on February 2, 1836. He was the son of Warren and Nancy (Holden) Maynard. He attended public schools in Waltham and became a jeweler's apprentice in Boston at the age of 15. He continued in this trade until he enlisted in the Union Army following the outbreak of the Civil War.

Military service Maynard enlisted as a private in Company D of the 13th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry on July 20, 1861. He fought at the Battle of Fredericksburg in Virginia on December 13, 1862. During the battle he ran through enemy fire to rescue another soldier who had been severely wounded in action. He received the Medal of Honor for this action in 1898. He was mustered out of the 13th Massachusetts on February 17, 1863.

Medal of Honor citation A wounded and helpless comrade, having been left on the skirmish line, this soldier voluntarily returned to the front under a severe fire and carried the wounded man to a place of safety.