James P. Postles

James P. Postles (September 28, 1840 – May 27, 1908) was an American soldier who fought with the Union Army in the American Civil War. Postles received his country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for actions taken on July 2, 1863 during the Battle of Gettysburg.

Civil War service Postles joined Company C of the 1st Delaware Regiment in Wilmington, Delaware. After a three-month enlistment, Postles was mustered out as a 1st Sergeant. When the regiment reorganized, Postles was placed in Company A as a 1st Lieutenant.

Postles' first major conflict was at the Battle of Antietam. During an attack in the Sunken Road, Company A lost roughly half its men, including its captain. Following the battle, Postles was lauded by his commanding officer as behaving with "exemplary coolness and bravery", and was named the new Captain for Company A. For this action, Postles was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Medal of Honor citation

Personal life Following the war, Postles returned to Delaware where we entered into his father's leather business. In 1878, he served as Adjutant General of Delaware.