Portrait of Medal of Honor Recipient Ambrose Porter

Though I’ve been specializing in architectural artwork for over 26 years, every so often a request is made to depict a person, and I was happy to provide this portrait of Medal of Honor Recipient Ambrose Porter for the Missouri Civil War Museum in St. Louis, Missouri. The portrait was delivered to Mark Trout and his daughter Kristen today, April 12 — coincidentally the 163rd anniversary of the beginning of the American Civil War.

Born on February 2, 1839, he served as a Commissary Sergeant in the U.S. Army during the Civil War. He showed great bravery on August 7, 1864 in Mississippi when he volunteered to swim the Tallahatchie River under heavy enemy fire to bring a ferry boat to his fellow troops to cross the river and remove the enemy from their positions. He ultimately achieved the rank of First Lieutenant and was awarded the Medal of Honor on August 24, 1905. Ambrose lived to be 77 years old and passed away in Missouri on January 21, 1916. 

The Medal of Honor is the United States highest honor for military valor in action. The Medal represents the traits that each Recipient displayed in the crucial moments that mattered — bravery, sacrifice, integrity, and a deep love for America. 

It was an honor to provide this 9″ x 12″ pastel and watercolor portrait of Ambrose Porter, and I hope others will learn of his heroism. The portrait, along with his sword, will be on permanent display soon at the Missouri Civil War Museum. The museum is dedicated to the thousands of men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice and is a “Must See” in St. Louis. For more information, visit https://mcwm.org/