Gordon Johnston ( soldier ) Gordon Johnston ( May 25 , 1874 – March 8 , 1934 ) , was an American soldier , Medal of Honor recipient and football player and coach . He played at the tackle position for Princeton University and served as the head coach of the University of North Carolina football team in 1896 . He served as an officer in the United States Army during the Spanish - American War , the Philippine - American War and World War I , and received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Philippine - American War . Biography . Gordon Johnston was the son of Confederate General Robert Daniel Johnston , and was born in " the old home " near Birmingham , Alabama . After graduating from Birmingham High School , Johnston enrolled at Princeton University in New Jersey . While attending the university , Johnston played college football as a tackle for two years in 1894 and 1895 . Football historian Parke H . Davis described Johnston as a " high spirited , fleetfooted , dashing " football player at Princeton . Johnston became a member of The Tiger Inn . He graduated from Princeton in 1896 and became the head football coach of the University of North Carolina football team in 1896 . In 1896 , he also worked in the insurance business as a member of the Johnston & Badham firm in North Carolina . From 1897 to 1898 , he was associated with the Buck Johnston Abstract Co . in Memphis , Tennessee . In 1898 , Johnston enlisted in the United States Army to fight in the Spanish - American War , serving in Cuba with the 1st U . S . Volunteer Cavalry Regiment , better known as the Rough Riders . After a brief return to civilian life , he was offered a commission as a second lieutenant in the Army in 1899 on the recommendation of Theodore Roosevelt . Johnston was posted to the Philippines where he served with the 43rd Infantry Regiment in the Philippine - American War . On February 1 , 1900 Johnston ' s actions as the leader of a small detachment of scouts was to earn him the nation ' s second highest award for bravery , the Distinguished Service Cross . The citation states : " " . . . Lieutenant Johnston displayed remarkable gallantry and leadership in charging a greatly superior force of entrenched insurgents in the face of cannon and rifle fire , driving the enemy from their position and capturing the town of Palo . " " Johnston returned to the United States , where he was the honor graduate in 1903 from the U . S . Army ' s infantry and cavalry school . In 1904 , he was married to Anna Julia Johnson in Baltimore , Maryland . Johnston returned to the Philippines as a first Lieutenant in the Signal Corps with the 6th Infantry Regiment . On March 7 , 1906 , Johnston distinguished himself under heavy fire in the First Battle of Bud Dajo , where he was severely wounded . For his actions in this battle , Johnson received the Medal of Honor . Johnston went on to lead a distinguished career in the Army . Johnston was to win the Distinguished Service Medal for his work as the chief of staff for the 82nd Infantry Division during the Meuse - Argonne Offensive of World War I . Johnston died in a polo accident March 8 , 1934 . Camp Gordon Johnston in Carrabelle , Florida was named in his honor . Medal of Honor citation . Citation : Voluntarily took part in and was dangerously wounded during an assault on the enemy ' s works .