Jacob Parrott became the first American to receive the prestigious Medal of Honor when President Lincoln recognized him with that award in April 1862. Parrott was born on July 17, 1843, in Fairfield County, Ohio. He enlisted in the Army as part of Company K, 33rd Ohio Voluntary Infantry, during the Civil War. Parrott and the "Andrews Raiders" were given orders to go deep into enemy territory and destroy bridges and railroad tracks between Chattanooga, Tenn., and Atlanta. Once they reached the Atlanta area, the Union soldiers hopped on a train heading north. On April 12, 1862, that train stopped at Big Shanty, Ga., and when the passengers and crew got off for breakfast, Parrott and his raiders stayed on, uncoupled the engine, fuel car and three boxcars, and stole the train. As they steamed off, they were able to damage a few bridges before Confederate soldiers used another train to catch up with them when they ran out of fuel near the Georgia-Tennessee border. Parrott and the rest of the Union soldiers tried to get away on foot, but were all captured. Parrott eventually was returned to the Union in a prisoner exchange in March 1863. In recognition of the commitment to the Union cause, President Lincoln also awarded five of Parrott's comrades the Medal of Honor distinction.
