Jacob Wilson Parrott ( July 17 , 1843-December 22 , 1908 ) was the first recipient of the Medal of Honor , a new military award first presented by the United States Department of War to six Union Army soldiers who participated in the Great Locomotive Chase in 1862 during the American Civil War ( 1861-1865 ) .
Jacob Wilson Parrott ( July 17 , 1843-December 22 , 1908 ) was the first person to be given the Medal of Honor .