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Honor recipient, died. Beaty was born enslaved on October 8, 1837 in Richmond, Virginia. He gained his freedom around 1861 and in 1863 enlisted in the Union Army’s 5th United States Colored Infantry Regiment. By 1864, Beaty had risen to the rank of first sergeant. On September 29, 1864 at the Battle of Chaffin’s Farm, his regiment unsuccessfully attempted to attack the Confederate defenses at New Market Heights. During the regiment’s retreat, their color bearer was killed. Beaty returned under enemy fire to retrieve the flag. Only 16 of the original 91 members of the regiment, including Beaty, survived the attack unwounded. With no officers remaining, Beaty took command of the company and led a second attack against the Confederate lines. That attack was successful and drove the Confederates from their fortified positions. For his actions, on April 6, 1865, Beaty was awarded the medal, America’s highest military decoration. By the time he retired from the army, Beaty had participated in 13 battles and numerous skirmishes. After retiring, he returned to Cincinnati, Ohio and successfully pursued a career in acting and public speaking. In 2003, an Ohio Historical Marker was unveiled in his honor at his burial site in the Union Baptist Cemetery in Cincinnati.

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