[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 146 (Wednesday, December 3, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H8278]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              IN HONOR OF THE BRAVERY OF PRIVATE JOHN SIPE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Perry) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. PERRY. Mr. Speaker, I call attention to the bravery exhibited 
during the Civil War by Private John Sipe during the Battle of Fort 
Stedman.
  In addition, I recognize and commend the tireless efforts by his 
great-grandson, Mr. Reuben Troutman, a constituent of Pennsylvania's 
Fourth District, who has advocated for over a decade for the 
consideration of his great-grandfather to receive the Medal of Honor.
  On March 25, 1865, Private Sipe's selfless actions in the face of 
grave danger exhibited unparalleled bravery while fighting at the 
Battle of Fort Stedman with the 205th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers.
  After Confederate forces succeeded in capturing Fort Stedman, the 
205th Regiment made a gallant charge to counter the rebel attack. 
Although still considered to be in training status at that time, these 
brave Pennsylvanians managed to force the opposition back into Fort 
Stedman, halting the Confederate onslaught.
  During the intense hand-to-hand combat that occurred in retaking the 
fort, Private Sipe displayed extreme heroism when, without concern for 
his own safety, he fearlessly charged the rebel lines and captured the 
Confederate flag.
  The commander of the IX Army Corps, Major General John G. Parke, 
recommended to Army headquarters that Private Sipe be awarded the Medal 
of Honor for his valor and selflessness in capturing the enemy flag.
  Mr. Speaker, I must explain that capturing this flag at the time was 
not like this game that you might have heard about of capturing the 
flag. At the time of the Civil War, just imagine the fire and the sound 
of cannonade, muskets, the screams of compatriots on either side of the 
line in trying to manage the battle.
  It was the flag, it was the guidon, it was the standard, that showed 
the soldiers what action their unit was taking, and without it, it 
would render them impotent because there was no communication. There 
were no radios during the Civil War, so capturing the flag meant 
everything; not only was it symbolic, but it had a huge purpose in 
determining what that unit could, would, or would not do.
  Although recommended to receive the award by the commanding general, 
according to the National Archives and Records Administration, Private 
Sipe, however, never received the Medal of Honor.
  In a process that has spanned more than a decade, Private Sipe's only 
living relative--his great-grandson Reuben Troutman of Mechanicsburg, 
Pennsylvania--has worked with our office and the office of my 
predecessors to ensure that Private Sipe was given fair consideration 
for the Medal of Honor for which he was recommended.
  Unfortunately, the Department of Defense determined this year that a 
lack of existing evidence precludes the award of the Medal of Honor for 
Private Sipe's bravery and service. Private Sipe's heroism warrants 
recognition, nonetheless.
  Additionally, Reuben Troutman has dedicated an extensive amount of 
time over many years in researching his great-grandfather's 
contribution at the Battle of Fort Stedman, and he has worked 
diligently and tirelessly to bring to light historical facts of Private 
Sipe's military record.
  I commend Reuben for his attention to detail, persistence, tenacity, 
and zeal in seeking to honor his family heritage and for a valiant 
attempt at obtaining recognition for his great-grandfather's honorable 
and courageous service during the Civil War.
  As a proud servicemember myself and as a combat veteran and on behalf 
of the millions of other uniformed personnel who have served after him, 
I thank not only Private Sipe, but also Mr. Troutman, for their 
selfless service and dedication to our Nation.

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