He was honored with the award on December 1, 1864. Plowman was born in Oxford, England. He served in the 16th West Virginia Infantry and the 9th Maryland Infantry before joining the 3rd Maryland Infantry in February 1864.
He was commissioned as an officer the following September, and mustered out in July 1865.
Plowman received his country"s highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor. Plowman"s medal was won for capturing the colors of the 2d Pennsylvania Provisional Artillery during the Second Battle of St. Petersburg. The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Sergeant Major George H. Plowman, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 17 June 1864, while serving with 3d Maryland Infantry, in action at St. Petersburg, Virginia.
