Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
HEALEY, George W.
HEALEY, George Washington. (Dubuque, IA, Feb. 22, 1842--Dubuque, IA, May 9, 1913). MEDAL OF HONOR recipient, private, Company E, 5th Iowa Cavalry. Healey, one of Dubuque's two Medal of Honor recipients, won his award for action on July 29, 1864, during the CIVIL WAR.
Nearly surrounded by Confederate troops at Newman, Georgia on July 29, 1864, Healey captured an enemy soldier and, with the aid of another Union soldier, succeeded in capturing four other Confederate troops, disarmed them and brought them into the Union lines.
Captured later by Confederates, Healey was imprisoned in the infamous Andersonville prison from which he had timbers sent to Dubuque that were displayed later in his hardware store.
At the end of the war, Healey was part of the guard detail assigned to Jefferson DAVIS. (See: Francis J. HERRON)
See: George W. Healey
See: HEALEY'S HARDWARE
See: HEALEY BROTHERS
Information provided by Richard G. Bridges and John Pregler