Enlistment

As a United States Civil War Medal of Honor recipient, William Wallace Cranston endured a prolific military career. He voluntarily joined the infantry in Ohio as a private for a three year term in the early days of the Civil War. He was later promoted to captain and reenlisted for two additional one year terms. Cranston is particularly noted for two battles, Chancellorsville and Peach Tree Creek, which changed the course of his life.