Orlando E. Caruana

Private Orlando Emanuel Caruana (June 23, 1844 – September 14, 1917) was a Maltese-born American soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Caruana received the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action during the Battle of New Bern in North Carolina on 14 March 1862 and the Battle of South Mountain in Maryland on 14 September 1862. He was honored with the award on 14 November 1890.[1][2][3]

Orlando E. Caruana
Born(1844-06-23)June 23, 1844
Valletta, Crown Colony of Malta
DiedSeptember 14, 1917(1917-09-14) (aged 73)
Washington, D.C., United States
Buried
Mount Olivet Cemetery, Washington, D.C.
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branchUnited States Army
Union Army
Years of service1861–1864
RankSergeant
Unit 51st Regiment New York Volunteer Infantry - Company K
Battles/warsBattle of New Bern
Battle of South Mountain
Awards Medal of Honor

Biography
Grave of Orlanda Caruana at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

Caruana was born on 23 June 1844 in Valletta in the British Crown Colony of Malta.[3] Claiming to be 20 years old, he enlisted in the U.S. Army from New York City in August 1861. He received the Medal of Honor for two actions. The first was on 14 March 1862 during the Battle of New Bern when he took the battle flag from the wounded color bearer, helping off the battlefield. The second was on 14 September that same year when he, along with three other men, volunteered to scout out the enemy's position in Maryland during the Battle of South Mountain. The other three men were killed but he managed to escape and rejoin his company.[4] He was discharged from the 51st New York Infantry in September 1864.[5]

Caruana died on 14 September 1917 and his remains are interred at the Mount Olivet Cemetery in Washington D.C.

Medal of Honor citation

At New Bern, North Carolina, brought off the wounded color sergeant and the colors under a heavy fire of the enemy. Was one of four soldiers who volunteered to determine the position of the enemy at South Mountain, Md. While so engaged was fired upon and his three companions killed, but he escaped and rejoined his command in safety.[1][2][3]

See also

References
  1. "Civil War (A-L) Medal of Honor Recipients". Retrieved 20 October 2013.
  2. "Orlando E. Caruana". Retrieved 20 October 2013.
  3. "Orlando E Caruana". Retrieved 20 October 2013.
  4. "Medal of Honor recipients during the Burnside Expedition". 8 February 2013. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
  5. Regimental Roster
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