1920 - Allentown First Defenders Civil War Memorial in West Park A Civil War Memorial honoring the Allen Infantry, a company from Allentown also known as "First Defenders". The statue depicts Ignatz Gresser, who was later awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for heroism in the battle of Antietam; he was the only Allentownian ever so honored. In April 1861, in response to the call from President Abraham Lincoln, Allentown sent a company of Pennsylvania militia to Washington, D.C. The Allen Infantry was one of the first to reach Washington. By their presence, they deterred the Confederacy from any plans they may have had to capture Washington, D.C