Date of Award: May 13, 1899
Conflict: Civil War
Branch: U.S. Army

Maj. Joseph Corson was a physician of considerably high repute, who obtained an exceptional military and medical record during the Civil War and further Army service. Corson answered President Lincoln’s first call for troops in the Civil War, completing a three-month term of duty and attaining the rank of sergeant. He returned to school afterward for further study but later joined the Sixth Regiment, Pennsylvania Reserve Corps, where he was immediately commissioned as an assistant surgeon. During his duty, Corson was present at battles including Gettysburg and Manassas Gap. He selflessly dedicated his military career to saving lives and healing the wounded – at one time risking his life to care for over 40 fellow service members stricken with cholera.

Citation: “With one companion returned in the face of the enemy's heavy artillery fire and removed to a place of safety a severely wounded soldier who had been left behind as the regiment fell back.”