Joshua Chamberlain certainly earned his medal. It was given to him for his work on July 2nd, 1863, at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. His citation simply reads, "Daring heroism and great tenacity in holding his position on the Little Round Top against repeated assaults, and carrying the advance position on the Great Round Top." But he could probably have equally received another for all of his following military actions.
The medal appears to be equipped with the 1896 replacement ribbon, which the Government supplied free to those recipients whose original ribbons had decayed with age. And it is obvious from the photograph that these Civil War- era versions were struck from either a brass or bronze alloy, as is evident from the dark patina upon all of the metallic parts.
_________________ General Jos. C. Meyer, ACWGC Union Army Chief of Staff Commander, Army of the Shenandoah Commander, Army of the Tennessee (2011-2014 UA CoA/GinC)
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