Background
Pinn was born on a Perry Township farm and was the sixth of 10 children born to William and Zilphia Pennsylvania
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Robert A. Pinn
Edit ProfileEducation
He attended school and worked on the farm until he was 18.
Career
Pinn joined the Army in Massillon, Ohio, and by September 29, 1864, he was serving as a First Sergeant in Company I of the 5th United States. Colored Infantry Regiment, also known as the 127th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Pinn returned to Massillion after the war where he worked as a contractor and teamster. In 1874 he entered Oberlin College and after graduation served as principal of Cairo High School and taught school in South Carolina.
After teaching, Pinn returned to Massillion and read in the law office of Robert H. Folger.
Pinn was admitted to the Ohio bar in 1879. Pinn was married to Emily J. Manzilla, (deceased 1890) and they had a daughter Gracie R. Pinn (deceased 1938).
Pinn died at age 67 and was buried in Massillon City Cemetery, Massillon, Ohio. In 1973, the Ohio National Guard named its new armory in Stow, Ohio, in his honor.
In 1998, the shooting facility at the University of Akron was renamed the Pinn Shooting Range in his honor.
The range, used by the university"s Reserve Officers Training Corps component and National Collegiate Athletic Association rifle team, is one of the premier shooting facilities in the state of Ohio.
Achievements
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Robert A. Pinn was one of only four Black Americans from Ohio to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor. On that day, his unit participated in the Battle of Chaffin"s Farm in Virginia, and it was for his actions during the battle that he was awarded the Medal of Honor six months later, on April 6, 1865.
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Born
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Died
January 5, 1911 (aged 67) -
Nationality
United States
Awards
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Medal of Honor Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor citation Rank and Organization: First Sergeant, Company I, 5th U.S. Colored Troops. Place and date: At Chapins Farm, Va., September 29, 1864. Entered service at: Massillon, Ohio. Born: March 1, 1843, Stark County, Ohio. Date of issue: April 6, 1865. Citation: Took command of his company after all the officers had been killed or wounded and gallantly led it in battle.Medal of Honor citation Rank and Organization: First Sergeant, Company I, 5th U.S. Colored Troops. Place and date: At Chapins Farm, Va., September 29, 1864. Entered service at: Massillon, Ohio. Born: March 1, 1843, Stark County, Ohio. Date of issue: April 6, 1865. Citation: Took command of his company after all the officers had been killed or wounded and gallantly led it in battle.