Putnam received his country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor.

[1] Putnam's medal was won for his actions at the Battle of Vicksburg, Mississippi on July 2, 1863.

[2] Putnam was born in Southbridge, Massachusetts, entered service in Peoria, Illinois, and was buried in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

[1][2] The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Corporal Winthrop D. Putnam, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 22nd May 1863, while serving with Company A, 77th Illinois Infantry, in action at Vicksburg, Mississippi.

Corporal Putnam carried, with others, by hand, a cannon up to and fired it through an embrasure of the enemy's works.